Blacksburg approves 25‑year solar power purchase agreement to supply Blacksburg Transit

Blacksburg Town Council approved Ordinance 2102 authorizing the town manager to execute a power purchase agreement (PPA) and a long‑term roof site lease with TB Solar LLC (an entity formed by Secure Solar Futures) to install a ~760 kilowatt solar array on the Blacksburg Transit facility.

Staff described the PPA structure: the developer funds, installs and maintains the array under a site lease; the town purchases the electricity generated at a fixed PPA rate with a 0% annual escalator over the initial 25‑year term. Staff reported the developer’s proposed PPA rate (presented in the staff report) and said initial modeling shows the project will deliver cost savings immediately versus conservative forecasted utility rate increases; staff estimated at least $2.2 million in net savings over the initial 25‑year term and up to $4.4 million if contract extensions are exercised.

The array’s anticipated output was described as meeting all of transit’s current electricity needs and about 80% of projected transit needs after a full electric bus fleet rollout. The contract includes construction, operation and maintenance terms and a decommissioning obligation at the site’s end of life; leases will be structured to avoid interruption of transit services.

Two public commenters — a local solar contractor and a transit‑supportive resident — spoke in favor of the project, citing local economic benefits and greenhouse‑gas reductions. Council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance.