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HB 1091

Right to farm; solar panels.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Amy Laufer

Virginia bill clarifying that solar panel installations on farmland qualify for agricultural nuisance liability protections, allowing farmers to install solar without facing neighbor lawsuits.

Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1091

Legislative bill overview

HB 1091 addresses the intersection of Virginia's "right to farm" protections and solar panel installations on agricultural land. The bill likely clarifies or modifies existing agricultural exemptions to account for solar energy production as a legitimate farm use, preventing nuisance lawsuits against farmers who install solar panels.

Why is this important

As Virginia expands renewable energy adoption, agricultural landowners increasingly want to install solar panels for income diversification or sustainability. Without clear legal protections, farmers could face costly lawsuits from neighbors claiming solar installations constitute nuisance conditions. This bill protects farmers' ability to adapt their operations to changing economic and environmental conditions while maintaining property rights.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition of agricultural use: Disagreement over whether solar panel installation should receive the same legal protections as traditional farming, or if income threshold limits should apply
  • Neighbor concerns: Residents may worry about visual impacts, property value effects, or land use changes if solar becomes prioritized as a protected farm activity
  • Scope limitations: Uncertainty about whether protections apply to all farm sizes, solar array sizes, or only owner-operated versus industrial-scale installations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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