VA Expands Solar Generation Capacity by 200MW

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Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality has issued permits for the construction and operation of three new solar projects in Halifax and Orange counties. The facilities are projected to generate about 213 megawatts combined, which is enough electricity to power more than 25,000 households.

Solar projects

Water Strider Solar is an 80-megawatt project spread across more than 1,000 acres in Halifax County, a parcel currently owned by Jenny’s Ruff. Cypress Creek Renewables will build, develop and maintain the project that’s estimated to facilitate $77 million in construction costs, creating approximately 224 temporary jobs locally. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence data, the farm’s output is secured under a 20-year PPA with Dominion Energy Virginia.

Powells Creek Farm Solar, a 70-megawatt project will be developed by Carolina Solar in Halifax County. Commissioning date is projected for 2021.

The 62.5-megawatt Sol Madison Solar will be developed by Cypress Creek Renewables on portions of three parcels, totaling about 647 acres. The solar farm will be positioned south of the Constitution Highway and west of State Route 611, near Locust Grove in Virginia’s Orange County.

These solar farms are anticipated to offset the generation of almost 346 million pounds of carbon dioxide, nearly 247,000 pounds of nitrogen oxides and close to 284 pounds of sulfur dioxide otherwise produced by fossil fuel-based electricity generation. Virginia’s overall solar generation capacity has increased from 17 megawatts in 2014 to more than 350 megawatts in 2019. Moreover, DEQ has permitted more than 1 gigawatt of renewable energy sources since 2015 and has received notices of intent for an additional 3.4 gigawatts from planned installations.