Charlottesville City Schools advances major Solar Power Purchase agreement for Charlottesville High School
Charlottesville City Schools and the City of Charlottesville are pleased to announce the successful execution of a major Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) that will significantly advance community sustainability goals while delivering long-term financial benefits. A PPA is an arrangement in which a third-party developer installs, owns, and operates an energy system (e.g., solar) on a customer’s property. The customer purchases the system’s electric output for a predetermined period.
Under this new agreement, a 1.318 MWdc (Megawatts Direct Current) size solar energy system will be installed at Charlottesville High School. Once operational, the system is expected to generate approximately 1,738,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy each year. This production will offset an estimated 59% of CHS’s total annual electricity use.
Over the 25-year term of the PPA, the project is forecast to achieve approximately $2.3 million in avoided electricity costs. The environmental benefits are equally significant. The project will avoid more than 40,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, which is equivalent to removing roughly 8,400 gas-powered cars from the road for an entire year. This initiative represents a substantial contribution toward the City’s long-term climate and sustainability goals.
This project has been a collaborative effort between CCS and the City. Work towards establishing a solar PPA has been underway for nearly a decade, reflecting a long-standing commitment to renewable energy and responsible stewardship of public resources.
“We are grateful to all partners who helped bring this major climate action milestone to fruition and excited to be part of Charlottesville’s continued and critical progress toward a more sustainable future,” says Lisa Larson-Torres, CCS School Board Chair.
“This project reflects intentional and substantial climate and sustainability work. It demonstrates our community’s understanding and willingness to tackle solutions that will deliver multiple benefits,” says Kristel Riddervold, Director of the Office of Sustainability.
The City partnered with Madison Energy Infrastructure (MEI+), a Virginia-headquartered company with an office in Charlottesville. Several Madison team members are City residents, bringing local expertise and community connection to the project’s development and execution.
“Charlottesville City Schools and the City of Charlottesville have set a powerful example of public sector leadership — driving $2.3 million in avoided costs over 25 years and making a significant leap toward their sustainability goals," says Meghan Milo, Director of MEI+. “We’re proud to be trusted as their partner, and to bring hands-on STEM education into the classrooms where some of our own children learn. This project hits close to home, in the best way.”