Statement: Proposal for largest solar and energy storage expansion in Virginia history shows progress

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Bronte Payne

Dominion Energy projects would provide meaningful clean electricity

Environment Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. — Dominion Energy proposed 15 solar and storage projects to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) Thursday as a part of its efforts to achieve the goals of the Virginia Clean Economy Act. These projects will be able to provide more than one gigawatt of renewable electricity, which is enough to power more than 250,000 homes. 

The proposed projects include: 11 utility-scale solar projects, two distributed solar projects, one combined solar and storage project and one energy storage project. In addition, the plan includes 32 solar and storage projects operated by third-party providers. 

Environment Virginia was a part of the effort to pass the Virginia Clean Economy Act in 2020, which commits the state to providing 100 percent carbon-free electricity. Environment Virginia is a state affiliate of Environment America. 

Elly Boehmer, Environment Virginia state director, issued this statement: 

“Dominion Energy’s proposal for 15 solar and storage projects across the state is a shining example of how setting goals can kickstart action on clean energy. After Virginia lawmakers passed the Clean Economy Act, solar in the commonwealth skyrocketed. By clarifying that Virginia’s future will be powered by clean energy, lawmakers opened the door for renewable energy to grow in Virginia. Dominion’s proposed solar projects will help Virginia break free from fossil fuels and get more of its energy from renewable sources like the sun.

“Virginia has enough technical solar potential to meet all of the state’s 2020 electricity consumption. Both utility scale and rooftop solar projects will help Virginia harness the virtually pollution-free and incredibly abundant power of the sun that shines on us every day.” 

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