Dominion Energy tells Fluvanna schools solar PPAs cut energy costs by about $350,000 over five years
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Summary
Dominion Energy Solutions briefed the board on the division’s five solar systems (3 MW total) and said the arrays produced roughly 15,000 MWh from 2020–2024, yielding about $350,000 in avoided utility costs under current PPAs.
Cameron Stalker of Dominion Energy Solutions briefed the Fluvanna County School Board on Sept. 10 about the school division’s existing solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) and net‑metering arrangements.
Stalker said the division operates five solar systems across four schools—three ground‑mounted arrays and two rooftop installations—totaling about 3 megawatts of capacity. "In total, these solar systems have provided over 15,000 megawatt hours or 15,000,000 kilowatt hours to the schools," he said, summarizing production from 2020 through 2024.
Under the PPA arrangement, Dominion owns and operates the arrays and the school division purchases the energy produced at a predetermined rate. Stalker said the division has realized roughly $350,000 in cost savings over five years from the PPA differential versus utility rates, and highlighted that the PPA rates are fixed for the contract term (roof systems ~25 years; most ground systems ~35 years).
Board members asked about degradation rates, monitoring, and whether the firm provides educational materials for classrooms. Stalker said panel degradation is minimal (approximately 0.05% per year), that Dominion monitors systems with annual inspections and alarms, and that Dominion has provided curriculum and classroom visits in other districts.
The board asked for access to public dashboards showing real‑time and historical production; Stalker said those dashboards are available and public facing and offered to review them with the board.
No action was required; the presentation served to update the board on performance and to suggest expanded educational use of the monitoring dashboards.
