May 21, 2025
3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Carl Smith Stadium, Wise, VA 24293
In case of inclement weather – 5705 Greear Cir Wise, VA 24293
Join the inaugural Southwest Virginia Solar Summit this May! Whether you are a government official, town/county board member, an electrician, or just a resident interested in the solar work happening across the region, this event is for you! Registration is free to the public and includes a free meal and live music.
Register TODAY to secure your spot and help us plan!
What to expect
During the Summit, you will see presentations from and have access to solar installers and other professionals working in Southwest Virginia on residential, commercial, school, shared solar, and utility solar projects. In combination with the Southwest Virginia Economic Forum, this solar-specific economic event will better prepare you and your community for the growing solar energy economy and job opportunities across the country. Live music will be provided throughout and will close out the day with a sense of celebration and community.
The Southwest Virginia Solar Summit is hosted by the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia, which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. In 2017, the Solar Workgroup hosted the region’s first-ever solar fair! Learn more about the Workgroup on the Solar Workgroup Background page.
Have any questions? Reach out to andie@appvoices.org or call (276) 679-1691.
Student building competition!
Register for the Zoom information session on April 24, 4:00 PM.
The competition will be held on May 21st at the SWVA Solar Summit on UVA Wise campus. Specific time to be determined based on availability.Teams are expected to be between 3-5 students. Participation is free to all and will include a free meal for participants during the event. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Additional prizes may be awarded as available.
Registration is required by May 1, 2025 to ensure all materials are available on-site for each team.
This competition is made possible through sponsorship by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Agency (VCEDA).
SWVA Solar Summit Agenda – Check back for agenda updates!
- 2:30 – Doors open (sign-in and food tickets)
- 3:00 – Introductory remarks for the SWVA Solar Summit
- 3:15-4:00 – Solar Development Panel – Moderator: Ben Wilson
- 4:00 – 5:00 – Live music
- 5:00-6:00 – Presentation slots
- 6:00 – 7:00 – Live music
- 7:00 – Closing remarks
Presenters – More coming soon!
Ben Wilson serves as the Director of Strategy and Engagement for Energy Right. Based in Roanoke, Ben leads Energy Right’s initiatives in the Valley and into Southwest Virginia. Ben has received two degrees from Auburn University, a BA in Political Science and a Masters of Public Administration. He is dedicated to providing fact based resources with local leaders and community members interested in shared and utility scale solar. He believes that we must work together to address misinformation and find common solutions to achieve an increasingly clean energy future in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Jesse Wilson started working in the solar industry in 2020, working with residential families to help them install solar on their homes. He started in his position with the Virginia Department of Energy last year as Virginia Energy’s Residential Solar Programs Coordinator, managing the single-family and multi-family portions of the state’s soon to be launched Solar for All program. He enjoys spicy food, the mountains, and a good laugh.
Jess Gray is the CEO of Gray’s LAMBscaping, LLC, overseeing the company’s financial management, policy development, logistics, and reporting. She is crucial in guiding the company towards sustainable agriculture and solar grazing goals. As a 2023 Nuffield International Agricultural Scholar, Gray has represented her company in over half a dozen countries, focusing her research on integrating solar energy with livestock grazing. This innovative approach has drawn interest from various sectors looking at the environmental sustainability and economic viability of ranching in the context of climate change and shifts in land ownership. Gray has been a board member for the American Solar Grazing Association since 2024.
Heather is Solar Holler’s Director of Marketing and Strategic Communications, based out of Cass, West Virginia. She has more than 15 years of Marketing and Public Relations experience in various industries and is now charged with bringing the Solar Holler story to life across Central Appalachia. Heather holds an MA in Ecocriticism and Appalachian Writing from Marshall University and a Bachelor’s from High Point University. When she’s not busy crafting our latest campaign and spreading the good news about solar, you can find her playing guitar, backpacking with her husband and their dog Albie, or reading the latest fantasy fiction series.
Tabling organizations – More coming soon!
Energy Right – Energy Right serves as a trusted conservative voice and resource for informed decision-making on responsible clean energy development that drives local economic growth and prosperity. Committed to driving local economic growth and prosperity, Energy Right champions an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy that will ensure America’s energy independence. Learn more about Energy Right and our work by visiting: https://www.energyrightus.org/.
Gray’s LAMBscaping – As a dedicated family-owned business, we blend traditional sheep grazing with cutting-edge ecological practices, catering to some of the nation’s leading energy giants. From our home base in Virginia, we are proud to manage an ever-expanding flock that roams the East, ensuring clean, efficient, and sustainable land management across thousands of acres. At the heart of our operation is a commitment to an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable approach to vegetation control. Our innovative solar grazing solutions support the seamless operation of solar farms and contribute to the health of the land, fostering a harmonious balance between clean energy production and agricultural prosperity. With transparent pricing and a focus on customer satisfaction, we ensure a partnership that’s as reliable as it is revolutionary.
Solar Holler – Solar Holler is a full-service solar developer and installer for West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Virginia. We are a rare breed—a fully licensed electrical contracting firm with policy and financing expertise, a finger on the pulse of cutting-edge technology, and an absolute commitment to using the power of solar energy to revitalize Appalachian communities.
Sun Tribe – Founded and headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, Sun Tribe consists of local residents committed to ensuring our Commonwealth’s transition to renewable, domestic energy is managed safely, reliably, and responsibly. We specialize in sustainable solar solutions — prioritizing quality, community-focused projects. Sun Tribe partners with landowners, local governments, and utilities advancing toward a cleaner energy future.
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality – Responsible for administering laws and regulations related to air quality, water quality, water supply, renewable energy and land protection, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the primary environmental permitting agency in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Through the work of more than 800 employees at six regional offices across the state and the Central Office in Richmond, DEQ issues permits, conducts monitoring and inspections, and enforces the law. DEQ’s mission is to protect and enhance the environment of Virginia to promote the health and well-being of the Commonwealth’s citizens, residents, and visitors in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. DEQ’s vision is that all Virginians enjoy cleaner water, better air quality and the productive reuse of land that was once contaminated. Through a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, DEQ is developing a statewide Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) that will identify key actions needed to reduce climate pollution from all major sources in Virginia over the next 25 years. The CCAP is being shaped through a robust stakeholder and community input process to ensure that the plan best aligns with the needs and priorities of all Virginians.
Virginia Department of Energy – Virginia Energy serves as the Commonwealth’s steward of mineral and energy resources and has since 1985. Whether we’re promoting worker safety or launching an energy rebate program, our team of over 200 experts are here to serve you and your community as we navigate environmental, economic development and infrastructural initiatives that impact the nearly nine million people who call Virginia home.
The Clinch Coalition – The Clinch Coalition is a non-profit environmental organization formed in 1998. The Mission of The Clinch Coalition is to protect and preserve the natural heritage and biodiversity of Far Southwest Virginia by fostering equity, economic opportunity, and education and to challenge energy and extraction exploitation by mobilizing grassroots environmental justice and promoting clean energy solutions. The Clinch Coalition supports the development of solar energy and the use of former mine lands for utility-scale projects, which use best management practices to protect the biodiversity and habitats of SWVA and, to the extent possible, assist in the ecological recovery of these formerly disturbed parcels.
Earth Right Mid-Atlantic – Earth Right Mid-Atlantic is a full service Energy Efficiency and Solar company. Our team is dedicated to educating homeowners and businesses throughout Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia on the benefits of Solar and energy efficiency. Our team of experts are dedicated to designing and installing tailored solar energy systems, ensuring optimal energy efficiency and cost savings. We’re committed to offering environmentally conscious clients a brighter, cleaner, and greener future through unparalleled customer service and exceptional solar energy solutions. In addition to solar and energy efficiency products, we offer customers a variety of whole home solutions including roofing, electrical, HVAC and battery backup systems.
Event Sponsor
The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton.
Musical Performances
Julia Still is a powerhouse vocalist and heartfelt storyteller. With influences like Whitney Houston, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, and Carrie Underwood, her performances are fun, energetic, and vocally stunning. Her original songs bring tales of love, deception, and hard-working stories of the Appalachian people. You don’t want to miss a chance to catch one of her enchanting performances.
Alpine Motel is an indie rock band from Abingdon, Virginia. Their sound blends nostalgic textures, vintage charm, and wistful melodies—perfect for late-night drives. Since releasing their debut EP in 2022, they’ve performed at top regional festivals and opened for Judah and the Lion. With their debut album dropping May 23rd, the band is entering an exciting new chapter.
Food provided by The Pakalachian
The Pakalachian is a food truck based out of Abingdon, Virginia, that strives to creatively blend the culinary elements of both Southwest Virginia and South Asia to produce unique, vibrant dishes that benefit local Appalachia. Owned and operated by Mohsin and Katlin Kazmi, this food truck is anything but ordinary. Each dish is curated to combine the comforting elements of the foods Katlin and Mohsin grew up with as kids.