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Michael Shank’s Feb. 7 column ("Despite assault on clean energy, the future remains bright for solar") notes that location choices for solar power are critical. The recently passed bill promoting solar canopies over large parking lots (House Bill 2037, sponsored by Del. David Bulova, D-Fairfax) is an excellent step to address this issue.
As Mr. Shank notes, solar fields on farmland can be controversial. Rural Virginians can reasonably argue that urban areas create most of the demand for increasing power, and should therefore bear more responsibility to help create that power.
This bill meets this need by allowing localities to require solar canopies for new large commercial parking lots. That’s right, the bill allows individual localities to choose; each place can decide for themselves.
The beauty of this bill is that it could apply to urban areas like Northern Virginia that have a large number of parking lots suitable for solar canopies. It makes sense that this area, with a large power demand, would help to mitigate the impact of that demand.
Solar canopies in parking lots provide multiple benefits. They can cut energy costs for the commercial establishment, provide power for electric vehicle charging stations, all while making shade for the cars that park in the lot. And they can attract customers. Given a choice of parking in a shaded lot versus an expanse of hot asphalt, wouldn’t you choose the shade?
All in all, solar canopies on parking lots are an excellent win-win. Allowing localities to decide if they want to promote them should be a bipartisan no-brainer. Let’s hope our governor signs Bulova's bill into law.
In June 1944, Richmond street sweepers wielded brooms along Adams Street. They were among the first 28 African-Americans hired by the city for the previously all-white field of employment.
Back in the day, Richmond street cleaning days brought out fleets of workers armed with brooms and shovels.
03-07-1946: Richmond Street Cleaning Department
Times-Dispatch
03-25-1946 (cutline): Mechanical sweeper piles up leaves on Floyd Avenue.
Times-Dispatch
04-28-1941: Richmond Street Cleaning Department
Times-Dispatch
03-07-1946 (cutline): Monument Avenue is cleaned.
Times-Dispatch
03-25-1946 (cutline) Workmen clean out sewer opening at Allen and Floyd.
Staff photo
In June 1944, Richmond street sweepers wielded brooms along Adams Street. They were among the first 28 African-Americans hired by the city for the previously all-white field of employment.
