MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING
A 5-megawatt solar installation is underway at the I-95 landfill complex in Lorton, Va.
The ground-mounted system will be
built and operated by Madison Energy through a power purchase agreement with
Fairfax County.
John Morrill, Fairfax County’s
director of the office of environmental and energy coordination, said the
county’s Department of Housing office building was made more efficient and
sustainable with rooftop solar panels.
The building retrofit adds a new life
to the structure and the energy savings — about $75,000 per year — will pay off
the total cost of its capital improvements in 15 to 20 years.
“Beyond cost savings, there are
environmental benefits. Reducing emissions at the power plant helps air quality
for everyone,” Morrill said.
The county replaced a gas boiler with
a heat pump plus solar at a large recreation center.
In addition to being more efficient,
the upgrade reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
The county is in its fifth and final
years of converting its streetlights to LED.
While the bulb investment is about $8
million total, Morrill said the more efficient bulbs allow the county to avoid
about $3 million per year in energy costs to operate the more than 50,000
streetlights.
As the price of energy continues to
soar, the cost avoidance could be even greater.
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