Dominion Virginia Power has selected Capital One's Chester facility to house what it says is the first ground-mounted solar energy system in central Virginia.
The system will comprise nearly 2,500 solar panels and will generate about 500 kW of electricity at peak – enough to power about 125 homes. The Chester facility has obtained a Gold LEED-certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
PowerSecure, a North Carolina-based company with offices in Virginia, has been selected as the engineering, procurement and construction provider.
The project is part of Dominion Virginia Power's Solar Partnership Program, in which Dominion leases rooftop or ground space at commercial, industrial or public facilities for the installation of solar panels. The energy generated by the solar panels is delivered to the power grid.
Through the Solar Partnership Program, Dominion says, it is authorized to construct and operate up to 30 MW of company-owned solar facilities on leased rooftops or on the grounds of commercial businesses and public properties throughout the company's Virginia service area.
