RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Virginia Power filed an application with the Virginia State Corporation Commission today to build Virginia's first large-scale solar facility. The 20-megawatt project would be built on approximately 125 acres of land owned by the company near the Remington Power Station in Fauquier County.

The facility would contain approximately 90,000 photovoltaic panels and at peak capacity would generate enough electricity to provide power for 5,000 homes. The estimated in-service date for the facility is October 2016.

"The Remington Solar Facility marks the beginning of an exciting process with large scale solar technology that adds emission-free generation in the Commonwealth," said Thomas F. Farrell II, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Dominion Resources. "Increasing our use of solar energy is part of that plan, and renewable energy will play an increasingly important role in Virginia's future. Dominion has diversified the type of fuels it uses to generate electricity with more use of natural gas and biomass generation."

"I want to thank Dominion for their commitment to solar energy development with a project that nearly doubles Virginia's production of solar energy," said Gov. Terry McAuliffe. "I look forward to working with them to continue to expand renewable generation in Virginia and diversify the Commonwealth's fuel mix."

Dominion has extensive expertise in constructing and operating a large, diversified generation portfolio, which includes 344 megawatts of solar generating capacity in development, under construction or in operation across six states. A key benefit of the Remington Solar Facility is that Dominion can leverage this experience to successfully integrate utility scale solar generation to serve Virginia's energy needs. 

For more information on Dominion's solar projects, visit dom.com/solar.

In a separate application filed today with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, Dominion is seeking approval of a Community Solar pilot in Virginia. This pilot program, initiated by policy recommendations from several Virginia legislators, will allow customers to voluntarily purchase solar energy output from a Virginia-based 2-megawatt Dominion solar facility.

"I am pleased to have worked with Dominion Virginia Power to make solar an option for residents who live in condominiums or homes that have excessive tree cover and are impractical for solar installations," said Del. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax.  "This pilot will make emissions-free energy a reality for hundreds of customers who want that choice, but otherwise could not have it."  

Del. David E. Yancey, R-Newport News said, "Increasing solar power in Virginia is good for the environment and I applaud Dominion Virginia Power for its willingness to take this step in the Commonwealth."

Other Virginia lawmakers who have voiced bipartisan support for expanding solar projects in Virginia include Dels. Joseph R. Yost, R-Pearisburg; Marcus Simon, D-Fairfax; and Rob K. Krupicka, Jr., D- Alexandria.

Dominion (NYSE: D) is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 24,600 megawatts of generation, 10,900 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline and 6,455 miles of electric transmission lines.  Dominion operates one of the nation's largest natural gas storage systems with 949 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves utility and retail energy customers in 11 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's website at www.dom.com.

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SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power