KEYFACT Energy
- Dominion Energy seeks developers on Community Solar and Small-Scale solar projects
- Grid Transformation & Security Act calls for up to 500 MW of projects under 1 MW each
- Projects will be part of company's commitment to 3,000 MW of new solar and wind by 2022
Dominion Energy Virginia is continuing its support of solar development in the Commonwealth with a pair of requests for proposals (RFPs) for smaller-scale projects to help lower its customers' carbon footprint.
The Community Solar and Small Scale Solar RFPs will help the company meet its target of having 3,000 megawatts (MW) of new solar and wind energy in operation or under development by 2022 in Virginia. At peak output, that's enough energy to power 750,000 homes. The company has committed to cut carbon emissions by 55-percent by 2030 and 80-percent by 2050 across the 18 states it serves.
The first RFP continues the development of the company's Community Solar Pilot program. The voluntary program allows customers to purchase energy from new solar facilities located in communities throughout Dominion Energy Virginia's service territory.
The second RFP encourages the development of solar installations up to one megawatt in capacity, including rooftop installations with a capacity of at least 50 kilowatts (kw). Both RFPs seek third-party developers to build projects within Dominion Energy Virginia's transmission and distribution footprint.
The solar expansion is enabled by the Grid Transformation & Security Act of 2018. The landmark legislation supports a dramatic expansion of small and large-scale renewable energy projects. It calls for 500 MW of solar energy from projects of 1 MW or less, 50 MW of rooftop solar from projects of at least 50 kw, and for one-quarter of the projects to be owned by a third-party. The legislation also provides the framework to transform the energy grid to allow better integration of renewable energy resources while ensuring safe, reliable and affordable service to customers.