McAuliffe announces utility-scale solar project in Clarke County

Governor McAuliffe announced a permit for a new solar facility to be built in Clarke County. The Clarke Solar Farm, under development by Hecate Energy, will house 20 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity, enough to power to several thousand homes.

The solar farm will be outfitted with high-efficiency photovoltaic (PV) modules. The PV modules will be mounted to durable aluminum frames and attached to a fixed position racking and tracking system. The tracker utilizes a wide degree of rotation to maximize energy output with efficient use of available sunlight for electricity production.

“Solar energy is an essential element of the all-of-the-above energy approach our Commonwealth needs to keep costs for businesses, families and taxpayers low and continue to build a new Virginia economy,” said Governor McAuliffe. “The new solar facility in Clarke County is an excellent step in stabilizing and reducing energy costs, while delivering clean solar power to the grid throughout the region. We will continue to invest in energy infrastructure and support innovative approaches to bring low-cost, renewable energy to all corners of the Commonwealth.”

“Climate change is a threat to the prosperity, safety, and wellbeing of future generations, but Virginia is leading the way in the fight for sustainability,” said Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward. “This state-of-the-art solar facility is a prime illustration of the Commonwealth’s commitment to clean energy.”

Hecate Energy, LLC is a leading developer, owner, and operator of solar, natural gas, wind, and energy-storage projects. Their global presence drives best-in-class processes, technical designs, and financing structures across multiple countries and continents.

“We are very pleased to have completed our second Virginia Permit by Rule application for a utility-scale solar energy project in the Commonwealth” said Preston Schultz of Hecate Energy LLC.  “Once again the Department of Environmental Quality was a pleasure to work with throughout this process and we look forward to breaking ground on this exciting project in Clarke County in the near future.”