Dominion Energy plans to construct new solar facility in Middlesex County

Richmond-based Dominion Energy said Thursday it plans to begin construction in late 2017 on a new solar facility in Middlesex County.

The facility will be developed by Coronal Energy, which has regional headquarters in Charlottesville, and owned by Dominion. Under a 25-year agreement, the Charlottesville-based University of Virginia will purchase the entire output of the proposed 120-acre solar facility, which is expected to start commercial operations by the end of 2018. It will produce an estimated 15 megawatts of alternating current, or about 9 percent of the university's electric demand.

The UVA Puller Solar facility joins the UVA Hollyfield Solar facility. The two sites will produce 32 megawatts of solar energy and will offset about 21 percent of the University's electric demand.

The solar facility will enable the university to reduce its carbon footprint by more than 15,000 metric tons a year, as well as reducing more than 19 metric tons of nitrogen. U.Va. has pledged to reduce its carbon and nitrogen footprints by 25 percent by the year 2025 below 2009 and 2010 levels, respectively.

Dominion now has announced 421 megawatts (alternating current) of large-scale solar facilities in Virginia under development or already in operation. This amounts to enough electricity at peak capacity to power more than 105,000 homes.