Danville Utilities completes 14MW solar project

Solar development to provide power for 1,500 homes per year

Published October 27, 2020 by Sydney Lake

Danville Utilities, in partnership with Edison, New Jersey-based CS Energy LLC, Hingham, Massachusetts-based Navisun LLC and Denver-based TurningPoint Energy, announced Tuesday it has completed a 14-megawatt utility-scale solar project in Danville — the city’s largest solar development to date.

The 100-acre project, which began construction in December 2019, is estimated to generate 23,551 megawatt hours each year for the Danville and Pittsylvania County communities — enough power for 1,500 homes each year. This comprises approximately 4% of Danville Utilities’ yearly energy output. 

The new solar project is located next to other solar project sites at Irish Road and Whitmell. The Irish Road project will provide power directly to Danville Utilities and reach approximately 42,000 customer locations.

“Danville Utilities ratepayers will benefit long-term due to the new Whitmell and Irish Road solar projects being completed recently,” Jason Grey, the city’s director of utilities, said in a statement. “The solar farms will help reduce the city’s exposure to increasing transmission and capacity charges. These solar farms will also contribute to the city’s current renewable power supply portfolio and help us meet our long-term goal of being completely independent of fossil-fueled generation.”

Solar independent power producer Navisun financed and owns the Irish Road solar plant, while CS Energy designs and builds solar, storage and emerging energy industry projects. It provided engineering, procurement and construction services for the new Danville solar project. TurningPoint Energy also developed the Irish Road project.

“We are proud of our successful ongoing partnerships with Navisun and TurningPoint Energy,” CS Energy Director of Business Development Chris Ichter said in a statement. “Their ability to develop, and provide long-term ownership for projects across the United States make them leaders in the industry.”

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