May 21, 2025
2:30 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!

FREE REGISTRATION!!!


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.

SWVA Solar Summit Agenda – Check back for agenda updates!

  • 2:30 – Doors open (sign-in and food tickets)
  • 3:00 – Official start of the SWVA Solar Summit
  • 3:15 – Introductory remarks
  • 3:30-4:00 – Solar Development Panel – Moderator: Ben Wilson
  • 4:00 – 4:30 – Live music
  • 4:30-5:00 – Presentation slots
  • 5:00 – 5:30 – Live music
  • 5:30-6:00 – 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. 


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.

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.