Summary:

Dulles Airport may be getting a mass solar panel installation. Dominion Energy Virginia and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority announced that they are exploring the development of a large-scale solar energy project.

Main Article:

Dulles International Airport is Exploring the Option of Solar Power  

Dominion Energy Virginia and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority announced they will jointly explore the development of a large-scale 100-MW mass solar energy project on approximately 1,200 acres at Washington Dulles International Airport.

Dominion Energy recently signed a sublease with the Airports Authority to begin feasibility studies for the project to move forward. Solar electricity generated from the solar power project would connect to Dominion Energy’s existing transmission line located on Dulles International Airport property, delivering clean sources of renewable energy for residential and commercial customers.

A mass solar energy project of this size could power 25,000 homes at peak output and would be one of the largest solar power facilities in Northern Virginia, providing sources of renewable energy to the most populous region of the state.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority on this ambitious, renewable energy project. More than 24 million passengers flying through Dulles each year will witness the sun’s energy being used to generate clean energy for Virginians,” said Keith Windle, VP of business development and merchant operations for Dominion Energy.

“Partnering with Dominion Energy on this important project will give us the data and tools we need to determine the role that solar energy can play at a major international airport now and in the future,” said Mike Stewart, airport manager at Dulles International Airport. “This project fits well with the Airports Authority’s goal of enhancing the sustainability and environmental performance of our facilities.”

On September 18, Dominion Energy filed an application with PJM, the regional transmission organization that coordinates the electrical grid in all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia, to interconnect the project to the transmission grid. The new facility could come online as early as 2023 and is supportive of Dominion Energy’s solar energy capital investment plan.

This new solar power project would bring the company one-fourth the way to its goal of having 3,000 megawatts of wind and solar panels in operation or under development by 2022.

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