Risk Grade

Good

Largest VA city by area (430 sq mi); significant rural/agricultural land; real utility-scale solar potential

Assessment Snapshot

Population

92,108

State Rank

#23

Compliance

50%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

No solar-specific setbacks; governed by general municipal zoning

Zoning Mechanism

Suffolk: Site plan / CUP through city planning commission

Acreage Caps

N/A — independent city; limited developable land

Density Caps

No cap specified

Spacing Rules

No spacing requirements codified

Size Restrictions

No size restrictions codified

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Largest VA city by area (430 sq mi); significant rural/agricultural land; real utility-scale solar potential

Basis for Assessment

Independent City council composition; local press; regional solar development patterns

Political Risk Factors

Stable

Board Members

Suffolk City Council — verify at suffolk.gov — Majority Republican (based on 2024 election results)

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

PJM / Dominion zone

Utilities

Dominion Energy, None / Single utility territory

State Permitting Process

Local zoning approval via city council/planning commission; DEQ PBR for >5 MW; SCC PBR for 5–150 MW utility-scale under VCEA framework

State Incentives

Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA); Dominion/AEP net metering (residential/commercial); state solar equipment tax exemption; locality solar revenue share option (SB 1258)

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

No confirmed utility-scale solar projects on record — Suffolk, Virginia

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

No confirmed denials on record for Suffolk Independent City.

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Suffolk County, VA — Solar Development Risk Assessment