A new solar array, planned for completion in Spring 2026, will cover 37 acres of the closed I-95 landfill, converting previously unusable space into a project that benefits all residents. The concept began taking shape in 2020 with the enactment of the Solar Freedom Act, which focuses on renewable energy and allows residents and businesses to purchase electricity through renewable sources such as solar energy.
As the project progressed, the county entered into a Power Purchase Agreement with the solar developer, Madison Energy Infrastructure. The county pays Madison for the energy produced over the term of a 30-year agreement, then Dominion Energy credits county accounts for the energy provided by Madison to the grid in a process called virtual net metering.
HOW THE COUNTY BENEFITS
Energy produced from the project will be credited virtually to other county energy accounts, which will be selected to maximize overall savings. The project could save the county $12 million over the 30-year partnership and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 136,000 metric tons over the same period.
OTHER DPWES SOLAR PROJECTS
In 2024 the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services unveiled a rooftop solar system at the Newington Solid Waste Facility in Lorton, and DPWES just completed installing another on the roof at the I-66 Transfer Station. A solar array on the I-95 Landfill Complex administrative building is currently under construction.
GROUNDBREAKING EVENT
The I-95 Solar Array project kicked off with a groundbreaking on June 18 featuring a backdrop of solid waste vehicles and a lone solar panel on display.
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