RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Virginia Power continues to add megawatts to its Solar Partnership Program by installing 240 photovoltaic panels on the rooftop of Virginia Union University's Thomas H. Henderson Center. The system will be capable of generating about 70 kilowatts of electricity – enough to power nearly 18 homes. The Henderson Center serves as the central hub for student activities at the university. 

"Dominion Virginia Power is making important strides in the solar energy arena," said Ken Barker, vice president of Customer Solutions. "Businesses and educational institutions in the state, such as Virginia Union University, have shown they are as dedicated to the development of renewable energy as we are. We are thankful for their support and enthusiasm."

The installation at Virginia Union University is considered a demonstration site under Dominion's Solar Partnership Program. Demonstration sites are strategically selected locations that offer community benefits by providing opportunities for customer outreach and education of solar technologies.

"Dominion has been an outstanding corporate partner to Virginia Union University for many years," said Dr. Claude G. Perkins, president and CEO of Virginia Union. "We are excited to take part in the Solar Partnership Program and look forward to additional opportunities to advance the university's sustainability efforts."

Electricity generated from the solar panels will flow to the electric grid for use by Dominion Virginia Power customers. Construction has begun, and the panels are expected to be fully installed and operational by October. 

PowerSecure (NYSE: POWR), a North Carolina-based company with offices in Virginia, has been selected as the engineering, procurement and construction company.

Dominion's Solar Partnership Program is authorized to construct and operate up to 30 megawatts of company-owned solar facilities on leased rooftops or on the grounds of commercial businesses and public properties throughout the company's service area. When fully implemented, the program will generate enough power for up to 7,500 homes. Dominion has already completed roof solar installations at the Canon Industrial Resource Technologies facility in Gloucester and at Old Dominion University in Norfolk.

About Dominion

Dominion (NYSE: D) is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 23,600 megawatts of generation, 10,900 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline and 6,400 miles of electric transmission lines. Dominion operates one of the nation's largest natural gas storage systems with 947 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves retail energy customers in 10 states. For more information about Dominion, visit www.dom.com.

About Virginia Union University

Celebrating its 150^th anniversary, Virginia Union University is one of the oldest historically black colleges and universities in the South. Virginia Union offers undergraduate degrees in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences; the School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology; the Sydney Lewis School of Business; and the Evelyn Reid Syphax School of Education, Psychology, and Interdisciplinary Studies. Graduate degrees offered in the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology include the Master of Arts in Christian Education, the Master of Divinity, and the Doctor of Ministry.  Visit www.vuu.edu to learn more about Virginia Union University.

SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power