This year, the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia decided to take on a new challenge:  hosting the region’s first-ever solar summit! Inspired by the 2017 Wise Solar Fair, the Southwest Virginia Economic Forum and various summits hosted in Richmond, Virginia, the SWVA Solar Summit will take place at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise’s campus on Wednesday, May 21, from 3-7 p.m.

This falls the day before the 2025 SWVA Economic Forum and the Regional Housing Symposium, both taking place on May 22. The combination of these three events over just two days concentrates all things economic development into a two-day, can’t-miss occasion for residents and community leaders alike. As a member of the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia, we here at Appalachian Voices are excited to invite you to join us!

 What to Expect at the Solar Summit:
Short presentations and hands-on demos of solar energy
Live performances from SWVA artists, including Alpine Motel
A solar robotics competition for high school students with cash prizes
Free food from The Pakalachian food truck
Learning and festivities with your colleagues, friends and neighbors!

The SWVA Solar Summit also marks the 10-year anniversary of the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia, which started at UVA Wise’s first SWVA Economic Forum. Consequently, this aligns with the economic forum’s 10th anniversary. The success of each showcases the lasting impact these events can have when community discussion and leadership are put on center stage.

The SWVA Solar Summit comes at a time when Southwest Virginia, like the rest of the state, is experiencing an unprecedented rate of solar proposals. In Buchanan and Wise counties, two utility-scale solar projects are in the planning process — a 75-megawatt project near Hurley and a 10-megawatt project near Pound. For reference, 1 megawatt in Southwest Virginia can power over 700 homes. Additionally, last year, Washington County’s planning commission denied special use permits for a 262-megwatt solar proposal that would have placed panels on approximately 1,900 acres near an existing gas power plant. 

So far, in 2025 alone, Scott County has seen six proposed shared solar projects, representing approximately 35 megawatts. Shared solar projects are small, ground-mounted solar arrays that can serve the local community and help residents and businesses that subscribe to the project save money on their power bills. 

With projects and changes in how we envision energy in Appalachia coming fast, communities and some leaders are understandably concerned about the benefits and risks of solar development. Online resources about solar energy are checkered with both good and, unfortunately, misleading information. Like any industry, solar also has good and bad actors. 

How do you know who to trust? The SWVA Solar Summit can help.

The SWVA Solar Summit will provide Southwest Virginians with the opportunity to speak face-to-face with solar professionals working around the region, including environmental and energy advocates, economic development pros, and representatives from schools and agricultural companies. Solar developers from the residential, commercial, shared and utility sectors will also be available throughout the event. Find the current lineup of presenters and tabling organizations on the SWVA Solar Summit webpage.

Overall, the SWVA Solar Summit hopes to be more than just another summit for business leaders and industry professionals — we want attendees to have a good time while learning more about solar in our region. In addition to educational programming, the summit will also offer attendees an opportunity to celebrate the community and the solar projects that have already been completed. 

The Summit will feature musical performances and a live competition for high school students, and there will be snacks and activities for kids. 

If you are interested in attending the SWVA Solar Summit, participation is completely free and includes all activities and a meal from The Pakalachian food truck. You can register for free on the Southwest Virginia Solar Summit Eventbrite!

If you are a teacher and have a group of students interested in participating in the Solar Building Competition, you can sign up through our Google Form.