Community Solar Power for Virginia, Dominion Virginia Power Proposes
November 3rd, 2011 by Zachary Shahan
Dominion Virginia Power (yes, a major power company in Virginia) has proposed a community solar power program for its region. The program would involve it leasing commercial and public facility rooftops and grounds and putting solar panels on them.
“The panels would generate enough electricity to power about 6,000 homes during peak daylight hours,” a news release on the proposal states. “The initiative would be part of a multi-year program designed to help expand the company’s understanding of community-based solar energy, study its impact and assess its benefits.”
The proposal went to the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
The pluses of such a program, in my opinion, would be that more underutilized developed space would be tapped for solar, and businesses and public agencies could financially benefit from that at least a little. It would create a more distributed, secure, and (obviously) clean electricity production network. With more solar going up on buildings across the region, and the power company being behind that, more individuals might consider putting solar panels on their homes or their businesses themselves.
We write about the benefits of community-based solar energy a lot here on CleanTechnica — it’s often more efficient and helps the local economy more, for example. While this program would involved Dominion Virginia Power owning the solar power systems, it still provides many benefits.
Specific locations are yet to be identified, but “at least four of the solar sites would be located in community settings, such as local government buildings, schools, community associations, neighborhood associations or nonprofit organizations.”
In total, there are supposed to be solar panels installed on 30 to 50 sites in the region.
The proposal also includes discussion of purchasing solar power from customers for a new rate (not yet determined).
Virginia solar panel via USDAgov
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About the Author
Zachary Shahan spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as the director/chief editor. Otherwise, he's probably enthusiastically fulfilling his duties as the director/editor of Solar Love, EV Obsession, Planetsave, or Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and wind energy expert. If you would like him to speak at a related conference or event, connect with him via social media. You can connect with Zach on any popular social networking site you like. Links to all of his main social media profiles are on ZacharyShahan.com.
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