In Virginia, the State Energy Office funded the installation of solar photovoltaic projects at five state facilities as part of the Governor’s Executive Order 43 “lead by example” solar initiative calling for 30% renewable generation for state facilities by 2030. The initial projects include: 122 kilowatt roof mounted system at the Department of Forestry Headquarters in Charlottesville; 300 kW ground mounted system at the Virginia Public Safety Training Center in Hanover; 660 kW ground mounted system at Haynesville Correctional Center in Haynesville; 150 kW system at the Department of Mines Minerals and Energy office in Big Stone Gap, and; 140 kW system at the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries in Richmond.
The five systems will generate just under 2.5 megawatt hours per year and, on average, will offset over 27% of the facilities’ electric load. The Virginia Office is already in discussions with a number of other state agencies for a second round of cost-shared projects. Additionally, the Office is working with agencies, including Virginia’s Community Colleges, which are implementing solar installer training programs, to enable them to enter into long term solar Power Purchase Agreements with private sector developers by “buying down” the cost of the PPAs for the host agencies.
Contact Information for the Virginia Energy Office