A 21 MW solar array is powering Naval Air Station Oceana with clean, reliable electricity. 'It's important that the Navy leverage its use of energy to make us better war-fighters... And when you boil it down, [solar] improves our operational effectiveness," said U.S. Fleet Force Command Admiral Phil Davidson.
The Weatherley family farm is adding a 5 MW solar array to their property. This project will help ease the burden on 60 year old Glenn Scott Weatherley and secure a stable revenue future for the farm. The solar project will coexist with cattle and bees on the farm
Church of the Holy Family in Virginia Beach celebrated a new rooftop solar project. The solar project will save the church money as well as reducing an estimated 87% of its energy usage.
The Isle of Wight County School District will offset nearly 50% of its energy needs with solar projects on seven schools. The solar projects will generate 4,252 MWh of electricity annually. "This project does more than help the environment; it saves the school system money so they can focus on providing a more outstanding educational experience for their students," said the installer
Convert Solar, a solar installer based out of Virginia Beach, installed a 33 kW solar project on the roof of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in North Suffolk. This will save the church $75,000 as a result and provide free electricity to the church for over 20 years.
Equi-kids Therapeutic Riding Center in Virginia Beach is a life-changing equine-assisted services to kids and adults with special needs. The non-profit recently installed a solar array to provide low cost electricity to the organization.
NATO headquarters added a rooftop solar project to help the organization reduce energy costs while increasing energy reliability. This rooftop array will save the organization $3 million over the project's lifespan while also ensuring the base has electricity even during power outages.
SeaGate Terminals, a premier warehouse and logistics provider, broke ground on a solar powered multi-use building in Chesapeake. “We’re honored to build a new facility to meet growing customer demand at our Virginia location and to incorporate solar technology into the overall design," said the company's president.
Two Norfolk Fire-Rescue stations got energy-saving makeovers, including rooftop solar panels. One firefighter said that this is a great way to be responsible with taxpayers' money while also helping provide backup electricity to the firehouse.
The Solar Jobs Census recently announced that 4,938 Virginians work in the solar industry. This is a 3.9% growth year-over-year and 27% growth over the last 5 years.
Virginia is the largest data center market in the world and is expected to continue growing, which will lead to significant power demand growth in the state. Solar plus storage is key to meeting this demand, both with onsite projects and utility-scale projects.
SpyRock Real Estate partnered with Virginia-based Commonwealth Power to add 118.9 kW of rooftop solar to apartment buildings in Richmond. This 55+ year old apartment complex will give seniors an exciting and active community to live in.
Seven Catholic communities around Virginia have installed solar projects. These projects will generate 1.6 million kWh annually and save the churches more than $2 million during the term of the solar agreements.
A 488 kW solar array is sending power to the Regional Training Institute at For Pickett. The program has a guaranteed return on investment exceeding $2.6 million over 25 years.
The Carter Mountain Orchard and Chiles Peach Orchard's Farm Market use solar to power operations. The ground mounted and roof top solar array combine to produce enough energy to make 10,370,000 donuts and 423,400 pounds of fudge!
Westmoreland County Public Schools used a Charlottesville-based solar company to install a pollinator friendly solar array onsite. The solar array will provide 100% of Cople Elementary School's electricity needs and save an estimated $3.6 million in electricity costs.
USDA announced $1.2 million in funding for energy projects in rural Virginia from the Rural Energy for America Program. This includes solar arrays on a poultry farm, historic mansion, a commercial building, and a family owned printer business.
The Carilion New River Valley Medical Center added a 4,000 solar panel to its campus. "“It reduces operational expenses, producing savings that will ultimately help to reduce health care costs for our community. Hosting a solar array on our campus also makes clean energy available to other utility customers, which helps everybody benefit from solar power," said the hospital's president and CEO.
Solar is investing $63 million in a new 1.2 GW solar module manufacturing plant. Founder Carlos Class, a veteran, said that the plant will hire 104 people and will partner with local universities and schools.
Vintage Virginia Apples is getting more than $85,000 to install a 94.77 kW roof mounted solar array. This will generate 132,000 kWh per year, offsetting 95% of the orchard's energy usage.
The Woodlawn and Reston fire stations in Alexandria added onsite solar generation totaling 100 kW. This will save the county $12,775 in the first year and generate savings to offset costs.
Winchester Medical Center added a 1.3 MW ground mounted solar project, along with 414 kW of roof top solar projects. These solar projects will save the health care provider $80,000 in cost savings annually, totaling $3.25 million over their lifetime.
Mount Fair Farm, a family-owned historic estate, added a 110 kW solar array. The owner of the Charlottesville Equestrian facility is "extremely pleased with the final result."
Fred Garber, a 78 year old farmer, has owned his farm since 1978 and recently added a solar project to his farm. "And I’m responsible for doing what I can to see that my grandkids have the best possible life. My grandkids are appreciative of this (solar array),” Garber said about the farm.