The 3-megawatt Elam Road Solar Center in Prince Edward County will participate in Dominion Energy Virginia's Shared Solar Program, which is designed to allow more residents access to clean, affordable, reliable electricity.
Charlottesville, Va., August 1, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --Sun Tribe Development, LLC, the utility-scale development arm of the mid-Atlantic clean energy company Sun Tribe, today announced it has closed on its first community solar project with Dimension Renewable Energy — a leading developer, owner, and operator of community solar projects in the U.S. The project is currently in its pre-construction phase.
The Elam Road project will be built on just under 35 acres in Prince Edward County, Virginia, where it received a Special Use Permit from the County Board of Supervisors. Once operational, it will participate in Dominion Energy Virginia's Shared Solar Program, which was designed to provide many of the 2.5 million homes and businesses making up the regulated utility's customer base the opportunity to purchase subscriptions in shared solar facilities.
"Today's announcement marks the first purchase and sale between Sun Tribe and Dimension Renewable Energy, but it's unlikely to be the last," said Danny Van Clief, CEO of Sun Tribe Development. "Our team is grateful for the chance to work with a partner like Dimension who truly shares so many of our values, especially our focus on doing what is best for the communities we serve. This project will allow far more area residents to enjoy the benefits of solar, no matter their income level or living situation."
The state of Virginia established the Shared Solar Program through its Solar Freedom Act, enacted in 2020. The program gives residents living in Dominion Energy Virginia's service territory the chance to source clean, affordable energy from shared, local arrays without having to install solar panels directly on their homes. Community solar subscribers save on their monthly electricity bills by earning credits that offset their typical costs. Community solar programs can benefit myriad customers, including low-income customers, those who rent their homes, and others who may be unable to invest in rooftop solar.
The growth of the Shared Solar Program is bringing greater equity to the local clean energy transition; as required by law, 30% or 45 megawatts of the program must comprise low-income customers.
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Dimension Renewable Energy is a leading developer and operator of community solar solutions. For the communities in which they invest, their fleet of solar projects delivers clean energy, local jobs, tax revenue, and savings, alongside other benefits including workforce development and educational opportunities. Dimension is a turnkey provider of these solutions: from site acquisition and development to construction and operation, they are a steady and reliable presence in their communities.
Sun Tribe works in a variety of areas to further the clean energy transition across much of the U.S. Historically, the company has focused on commercial-scale development, utility-scale development, EPC services, and asset management. Sun Tribe now has a growing portfolio of projects in the community solar market segment, including a pipeline of nearly 30 projects under development which are similar in size to the Elam Road Solar Center. To learn more about Sun Tribe's work, visit http://www.suntribesolar.com.
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About Sun Tribe
Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, Sun Tribe has grown into one of the largest clean energy companies in the Mid-Atlantic region. Sun Tribe delivers legacy-grade projects that translate into long-term value for partners. Diligent upfront de-risking, best-in-class development and engineering, and forging ongoing relationships built on trust define the Sun Tribe approach. With a team of more than 80 renewable energy experts, Sun Tribe has completed more than 100 clean energy projects to date. The team has previously developed and built solar facilities in 20 states for leading partners including Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Exelon, Pacific Power, PSEG, the United States Air Force, and the United States Navy. To learn more visit http://www.suntribesolar.com.
Media Contact
Nikki Arnone, Inflection Point Agency for Sun Tribe, 1 7708567185, nikki@inflectionpointagency.com
SOURCE Sun Tribe
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