Gov. Ralph Northam, D-Va., has announced the installation of three new solar projects located at the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy’s office in Big Stone Gap, the Virginia Public Safety Training Center in Hanover, and the Haynesville Correctional Center on Virginia’s Northern Neck.
These projects will produce power on-site and offset energy costs for the agencies. Northam first announced the planned installation of solar at several state facilities in December 2018. Last month, the governor unveiled a new project at the Department of Forestry’s headquarters in Charlottesville.
“By offsetting the energy needs of our state agencies, Virginia is truly leading by example and deploying renewable energy where it will both reduce costs and create new jobs,” says Northam. “Solar energy is a rapidly growing segment of our economy, and I am proud that the commonwealth is playing a role in driving this demand and taking advantage of the benefits that this resource provides.”
DMEE provided technical and procurement assistance to the agencies. The three new projects include a 140 kW, roof-mounted system at DMME’s Big Stone Gap office that will offset half of the office’s energy needs; a 300 kW, ground-mounted system at the Virginia Public Safety Training Center in Hanover that will offset 26% of the campus’ energy needs; and a 660 kW, ground-mounted system at Haynesville Correctional Center that will offset 16% of the facility’s energy needs.
“Our agency focuses on conserving energy and supporting a productive economy, and these solar installations accomplish both goals,” notes DMME’s director, John Warren. “We are proud to be officially commissioning our own solar project at our office in Big Stone Gap.”
“The Department of Juvenile Justice is always pleased to embrace clean technology as we seek to provide utilities for our facilities,” adds Valerie Boykin, Department of Juvenile Justice director. “The solar project at the Virginia Public Safety Training Center will be especially useful for the facility’s role in Virginia’s emergency response plan.”
