Twenty-one schools across Virginia are reducing their carbon footprints by powering operations with solar energy through a partnership between Dominion Energy subsidiary BrightSuite Solar and Sun Tribe.
The solar arrays at schools in Arlington, Fluvanna, Hanover, King William, Newport News, Powhatan and Virginia Beach are being installed in partnership with Sun Tribe, and in total will generate more than 11 MW of solar energy at peak output.
Solar panels are installed either atop school buildings or ground-mounted on school property and provide renewable energy to fulfill a portion of the energy supply needs of the schools while reducing their electric utility bills through the Commonwealth’s net metering program using financing provided by BrightSuite.
“We are very excited to be able to partner with these schools to help them meet their renewable energy goals by lowering their carbon footprint and providing long-term cost savings,” said Todd Headlee, director of customer energy solutions, Dominion Energy. “We know schools, municipalities, and businesses are looking for renewable and sustainable energy options, and BrightSuite Solar is here to help customers find the solution that works best for them.”
Under the power purchase agreements, the school divisions pay no upfront cost and receive long term energy cost certainty and savings. Students and educators will have access to educational programming that uses their solar systems — introducing the Commonwealth’s youngest learners to foundational scientific concepts, broadening access to STEM and raising awareness about renewable career pathways.
“It’s clear why there’s so much demand for solar: these projects prove that a brighter, cleaner future for every community in Virginia is possible when we work together,” said Devin Welch, CEO of Sun Tribe Solar. “At a moment when educational leaders throughout the Commonwealth are grappling with significant budget challenges while also looking for creative ways to engage with their students, more and more school divisions are embracing this opportunity to save money while bringing real-life science into the classroom.”
The schools with projects currently underway include:
Since 2019, BrightSuite Solar has helped businesses and governments achieve their sustainability goals by providing customers with low-cost renewable energy solutions. By pairing Dominion Energy’s industry expertise and commitment to a cleaner energy future with a select network of Virginia based solar companies, BrightSuite Solar provides customers with turnkey solar solutions at no upfront cost.
BrightSuite Solar provides guidance throughout the process, including navigating Power Purchase Agreements (when applicable), design, financing, installation and interconnection.
With these 21 locations, Dominion Energy now has solar panels installed at 48 schools in Virginia through both BrightSuite solar and its educational Solar for Students program.
News item from Dominion Energy
Love it! We are facing opposition to solar on an industrial scale, but folks have not gotten used to the idea of solar. This report gives us reference points. Many thanks. Morgan Phenix, former elected Chair, Page County School Board; current elected Chair, Page County Board of Supervisors.
““It’s clear why there’s so much demand for solar: these projects prove that a brighter, cleaner future for every community in Virginia is possible when we work together,” said Devin Welch, CEO of Sun Tribe Solar. “At a moment when educational leaders throughout the Commonwealth are grappling with significant budget challenges while also looking for creative ways to engage with their students, more and more school divisions are embracing this opportunity to save money while bringing real-life science into the classroom.””
Schools are often ‘open for business’ during solar PV generation hours, allowing more efficient use of the energy generated every day. Taking tax monies and using it for school programs instead of school electric bills, seems reasonable as a cost cutting measure.
“Students and educators will have access to educational programming that uses their solar systems — introducing the Commonwealth’s youngest learners to foundational scientific concepts, broadening access to STEM and raising awareness about renewable career pathways.”
This is the pathway to the future, teach the children, they will expect to see alternative energy everywhere in their daily lives. This is how you make a “sustainable” change in technology and use from now on.