Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Largest K-12 Photovoltaic Roof Top Solar System in Virginia

Created through Virginia Public School Division and Dominion Virginia Power partnership.

Photovoltaic Roof

PHOTO COURTESY OF DOMINION VIRGINIA POWER

Dominion Virginia Power, Standard Solar and Chesapeake Public schools recently partnered to install more than 3,000 photovoltaic solar panels on the rooftop of Western Branch High School, in Chesapeake, Va. This rooftop system has the capability to generate almost one megawatt of energy. The electricity generated can produce enough energy to supply power to over 250 homes. Western Branch High School became the first school to participate in Dominion Virginia Power’s Solar Partnership Program. Dominion Virginia Power chose this high school based on several conditions that were needed to make the project a success. One condition was having a new flat roof and the other component included the relationship to the energy grid that Dominion Virginia Power wanted to supply power to.

The partnership allows Dominion Virginia Power to lease the rooftop space for a minimum of 15 years with an option to expand five years thereafter. The electricity generated from the panels goes directly to the Dominion Virginia Power grid. There was extensive planning that took place including the layout design of the panels on the roof. This was important to ensure access needed for maintenance crews. The panels have a wind rating of up to 140 miles per hour.

Photovoltaic RoofAnother benefit of this partnership is the educational component. Dominion Virginia Power included training for teachers along with related materials designed to provide a hands on learning approach so students will have a better understanding of solar generated energy. The program also provided two interactive kiosks in the school, which allows students and stakeholders to review live energy data along with other energy tools and designations for energy uses. The link for the school can be found at www.solarems.net/kiosks/396.

There are resources and grants that allow school divisions to be creative in ways of supporting sustainable and renewable energy sources. The students at Western Branch High School, in Chesapeake get to experience this first hand. Solar and wind energy initiatives are still growing in interest and understanding. It is important to continue to expose students and communities to the future of renewable energy sources that help our environment.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

About the Author

John A. Bailey, Ph.D. is the director of School Plants for Chesapeake Public Schools and a National School Plant Managers Association board member, representing Virginia, and a Virginia School Plant Managers Association board member, representing Region II, in Virginia.

Featured

  • Colorado School District Breaks Ground on Unified PK–12 Campus

    The Haxtun School District No. Re-2J in Haxtun, Colo., recently announced that ground has been broken on a renovation/addition project that will unite its two schools, Haxtun Elementary and Haxtun Jr/Sr High School, according to a news release.

  • Northeastern University Breaks Ground on New Housing Community

    Northeastern University recently announced the groundbreaking of a new student housing community on its campus in Boston, Mass., according to a news release. The university is partnering with American Campus Communities (ACC) for development of the project, which will have the capacity for 1,200 students and has a scheduled completion date of fall 2028.

  • UT System Approves First Funds for New Campus

    The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently approved funds to build the first facility of a new campus in far west Fort Worth, Texas, according to university news. UTA West will serve as a branch of the University of Texas at Arlington and is scheduled to open in fall 2028.

  • Campus Safety Requires Using Every Resource Available

    Across the U.S., school and campus leaders are facing a security landscape that has changed dramatically over the past decade. Incidents on school property have increased in recent years, with several consecutive years setting record totals. According to analysis of data by CNN, dozens of shootings now occur on school grounds annually across K-12 and higher education environments.