Fairfax County is expanding its solar initiatives with two projects in Reston and Lorton that officials say will strengthen the county’s commitment to renewable energy. 

A 5-Megawatt solar array project at the I-95 landfill in Lorton broke ground on June 18. The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services has partnered with Madison Energy Infrastructure to begin construction on the first solar array on the grounds of a closed landfill in the Commonwealth. 

“This solar project represents a monumental step forward for Fairfax County’s commitment to sustainability and renewable energy,” said John Morrill, director of the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination.

According to John Silcox, public information officer at the Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination, this project will be larger than the county’s previous 13 solar projects combined. 

Projected to be completed by Spring 2026, it will add “clean, renewable energy to the electric grid, supplementing and mixing with other electric generation sources,” said Silcox. 

It will use a virtual net metering process, according to a press release. The county will pay Madison Energy (owners of the system) a fixed rate for the electricity it generates, and this energy will flow to the local electricity distribution grid. According to Silcox, the estimate is 8 to 10 million kilowatt-hours per year, equivalent to powering approximately 1,000 homes. 

 “Combined with energy efficiency measures, the use of renewables can result in net zero energy or very low energy buildings, reducing the strain on the power grid,” said Silcox. 

Officials estimate thatthe project will save the county $12 million over 30 years. This figure assumes a steady increase in Dominion rates, while the county pays a fixed rate, said Silcox.

“By switching to non-polluting, renewable forms of energy, we reduce the impact of county government operations on the environment and lower county operating costs,” said Silcox. 

Beyond the financial savings, the project is expected to bring significant environmental benefits to the county. 

It will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 136,000 metric tons over the same period.

Projects like this promote the concept of repurposing existing infrastructure, benefiting both the community and the environment. This approach avoids the use of new land and eliminates the need for community displacement or tree clearing, according to the press release. 

The recently completed project in Reston Town Center employed this approach, featuring a 1.3 MW solar installation on the roof of a parking garage. 

This commercial project is now operational and expected to generate 1.5 million kilowatt-hours per year, reducing emissions and easing demand on the grid, according to Ameresco and BXP. 

“Developing the solar canopy project has been a phenomenal reminder of the innovative ways we can create solutions to provide energy security and resiliency to cities and towns across the country,” said Jonathan Mancini, senior vice president – Solar Project Development East, PV Grid-Tie at Ameresco. 

According to Silcox, both projects are steps to achieve Fairfax County’s Community-Wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP). The CECAP is a greenhouse gas emission reduction plan that seeks community-wide carbon neutrality by 2050. 

“Projects like the solar array at Reston Town Center contribute significantly toward that goal by increasing the production of onsite renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels,” said Silcox.

Initiatives like these pave the way for innovative solutions that will help Fairfax County meet its CECAP goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.