Virginia
Virginia governor approves tax exemption for residential and mixed-use solar installations
Dive Transient:
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Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, R, has signed into regulation a invoice creating property tax exemptions for residential and mixed-use photo voltaic set up of lower than 25 kW.
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The invoice creates a good taking part in subject for photo voltaic in a state the place prior regulation gave native governments the choice of exempting photo voltaic installations from property taxes — however not each county adopted the motivation, in keeping with Will Giese, southeast area director of the Photo voltaic Vitality Industries Affiliation.
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Whereas the brand new regulation is standard with trade and with lawmakers on each side of the aisle, environmental advocates in Virginia say it is unclear how a lot the exemption will truly profit residents.
Dive Perception:
A brand new regulation to extend entry to small-scale photo voltaic has handed the Virginia legislature with minimal competition — but it surely stays to be seen whether or not it would have an effect on photo voltaic installations within the state.
Virginia S.B. 686, which Youngkin signed into regulation on Monday, declares photo voltaic installations of lower than 25 kW to be a “separate class of property” not topic to state or native taxes on actual or private property. The invoice updates an current regulation that gave counties, cities and cities the choice to exempt photo voltaic installations from property tax, however didn’t require statewide adoption of the tax exemption — a consequence that drew reward from SEIA, which advocated for the invoice.
“Property tax exemptions permit photo voltaic firms of all completely different strokes and colours, to compete on equal footing with one another and permit shoppers larger flexibility and selection in the place their power comes from,” Giese mentioned. On high of this, he mentioned, Virginia’s invoice “does not simply apply to residential however mixed-use photo voltaic, which it is our hope will deliver extra small scale rooftop photo voltaic to people in rural areas, to allow them to put photo voltaic on their barn.”
The Sierra Membership additionally sees the invoice as an general win for clear power and for the atmosphere — notably given a 2021 report that decided photo voltaic is probably the most cost-effective useful resource for near-term decarbonization objectives in Virginia. Ivy Fundamental, renewable power co-chair for the Sierra Membership’s Virginia chapter, famous that the invoice’s success within the state legislature — it handed the Home of Delegates by a 2-1 margin and garnered unanimous assist within the senate — is indicative of assist for photo voltaic amongst state lawmakers.
However it’s not likely clear how the invoice will profit Virginia residents, Fundamental mentioned, as a result of residential photo voltaic installations aren’t sometimes appraised in a manner that triggers further property taxes past the worth of a property’s different options.
“The true problem the trade has had in Virginia is convincing those who it is a value-add to their home. That it is one thing they will rely on to make their home extra beneficial once they promote it,” Fundamental mentioned. “And our expertise with assessors and appraisers is that they take a look at photo voltaic — one individual informed me it was like a pool. Some individuals need it, and a few individuals do not, so it is a zero. So regardless that [the bill] is an effective factor, it is sensible impact could be restricted by the truth that we’re presently not seeing homes valued larger particularly as a result of their photo voltaic methods.”
Giese additionally mentioned it might take time to see precisely how the Virginia Division of Taxation will apply the regulation. Whereas another states have such exemptions, together with Texas, Florida and South Carolina, every state has interpreted the property tax exemption in its personal manner. And the total influence of the same regulation handed final 12 months in South Carolina isn’t but recognized as a result of that state can also be presently reconsidering its web metering insurance policies, which is interfering with demand for photo voltaic installations, Giese mentioned.
Whereas Virginia has accomplished properly at eradicating obstacles to photo voltaic installations and searching for “low-cost methods to make photo voltaic extra interesting,” Fundamental mentioned she nonetheless believes the state would profit from a extra direct incentive corresponding to a tax credit score.
Florida State has had some pretty easy games since playing the Alabama Crimson Tide. That all changes when FSU hits the road to take on the Virginia Cavaliers in Week 5.
Not only will the Seminoles be away from Doak Campbell Stadium for the first time this season, but it’s a night game on a short week as they will play on Friday. On top of that, Virginia comes in with one of the top offenses in the nation which will be a big test for Florida State’s defense that’s only allowing 10 points per game.
If FSU wants to get where they ultimately want to go, these are the types of games they have to win. Here are five reasons why they could struggle to get to 4-0.
Conference road games are tough
As well as Florida State is playing, none of their opponents so far were conference opponents. No matter who the program is, it’s always tougher to win in your conference, especially on the road. A turnover here and a big play there by the other team could start a chain of events that leads to trouble.
Florida State’s defense will face it’s biggest test so far
FSU has only yielded 10 points per game this season. However, they haven’t faced an offense like Virginia which has several running backs averaging over six yards per carry and a trio of capable wide receivers, which has led to them scoring over 44 points per game. Defensively, Florida State will need to play its best game of the season.
FSU’s offense could have a bad day
Florida State has lit teams up for 58 points per game. It’s been a cakewalk basically, but a some point, every offense, no matter how good it is, has an off night. A few bad drives could put Virginia’s high-powered offense in great positions to score and put the pressure on Florida State, and pressure burst pipes sometimes.
Turnovers can ignite a downward spiral
The Seminoles have only turned the ball over three times this season. Road games can get funky in a hurry if a turnover or two happens early. Florida State needs to protect the football to avoid making an already tough game even tougher.
Getting off to a slow start
This point is closely related to the previous four. If Florida State gets off to a slow start it will make the game tougher, their defense could struggle, their offense may not click on all cylinders, and that may lead to turnovers. Especially since this game is on the road, the Seminoles need to get off to a fast start.
Contact/Follow us @FSUWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Matthew on X @StarConscience
RICHMOND, Va. (WDBJ) – The housing market in Virginia held steady as home sales remain stagnant from last year despite increased prices and an inventory increase, according to a sales report for August released by Virginia REALTORS®.
Throughout the state, median sales price for a home in August reached $430,000, a 3.6% increase from the year before. Flat sales and higher price points pushed the sold dollar volume to $5.1 billion, up 4.4% year-over-year, according to the organization.
According to the organization, there were 24,606 active listings across the state by the end of August, a 26.2% rise from 2024. 13,000 new properties were listed in the month alone.
“Inventory growth has been one of the big stories of 2025,” says Virginia REALTORS® Chief Economist Ryan Price.
“With listings up more than 26% from last year, buyers across the commonwealth are seeing more options than they’ve had in a long time. While supply is improving, demand continues to be tempered by economic uncertainty.”
The organization mentions that properties are taking longer to sell, staying on the market for a median 17 days (five days longer than 2024). Since 2019, it has been the slowest pace in the month of August. Pending sales, however it showed a decent increase of 3.4% year-over-year.
Despite a downward trend for mortgage rates, there was a slight increase in the rate. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped just past 6.25% in the middle of September.
The president of the organization, Lorraine Arora, describes the drop in mortgage rates as a “positive sign” for buyers and sellers and if the trend continues, stronger sales could close out 2025.
About Virginia REALTORS®
Virginia REALTORS® (previously known as the Virginia Association of REALTORS®) is the largest trade association in Virginia, representing nearly 34,000 REALTORS® engaged in the residential and commercial real estate business. Virginia REALTORS® serves as an advocate for homeownership and represents the interests of property owners in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For more information, visit www.virginiarealtors.org or follow Virginia REALTORS® on Facebook and LinkedIn.
NOTE: The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
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