SCC approves three solar projects in Richmond

The State Corporation Commission (SCC) has given the okay for Dominion Virginia Power to construct and operate three solar generation facilities.  Combined, the three projects
will contribute 56 megawatts of new renewable energy to the company’s fleet of electric generation.  

Over the course of a year, the facilities will produce about 14 megawatts of electricity which equates to an equivalent capacity factor of 25 percent.

According to the SCC, the total cost of the three projects is about $129.5 million, excluding financing costs.  Dominion Virginia Power will begin collecting construction costs on September 1, with the addition of a rate rider
to electric bills.  For the average residential customer, the new rider will add seven cents to the monthly bill.
Construction of the solar facilities is expected to be completed in December 2016. 

The three projects are:

Scott Solar: a 17–megawatt facility on a 165–acre site in Powhatan County

Whitehouse Solar: a 20–megawatt facility on a 250–acre site in Louisa County

Woodland Solar: a 19-megawatt facility on a 200–acre site in Isle of Wight County

In its final orderm  the SCC recognized public policy favoring certain solar projects and stated that, “… the proposed costs of the solar projects are reasonable

under the applicable statutes.