Project Overview
Spotsylvania Solar is a 617 MWdc solar energy center in Virginia made up of four single-axis tracking projects across 6,350 acres, including 2,000 acres of preserved land. The project converted former timberland into a major renewable energy site designed to maximize solar output.
Key Takeaways:
- Adaptive Field Execution: Construction teams navigated water retention ponds, challenging terrain, tracked vehicle access, and hurricane-season conditions.
- Local Workforce Impact: More than 800 jobs were created in the local community during peak construction.
- Annual Clean Energy Benefits: Expected to power approximately 111,000 homes and offset 340,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
- Corporate Clean Energy Milestone: Microsoft purchased 315 MW from Pleinmont 1 and 2, marking one of the largest corporate solar purchases at the time.
- Delivery Method
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Engineer, Procure and Construct
- Additional Project Facts
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Pleinmont 1 Solar
Completed 2020 99.6 MWdc Single-Axis Tracking
Pleinmont 2 Solar Completed 2021 293.9 MWdc Single-Axis Tracking
Richmond Solar Completed 2020 24.2 MWdc Single-Axis Tracking
Highlander Solar Completed 2020 200.2 MWdc Single-Axis Tracking
617 MW of Solar Energy in Virginia
Spotsylvania Solar is comprised of four solar projects — Pleinmont 1, Pleinmont 2, Richmond, and Highlander — totaling 617 MWdc. The project sites, located in Spotsylvania, VA encompass approximately 6,350 acres, of which 3,500 acres will be developed into the solar project, with at least 2,000 acres being preserved as undeveloped, conserved land.
This unique and beautiful project site continually provided new challenges for our construction team to solve. From hundreds of water retention ponds to overcoming terrain using tracked vehicles, our team had to continually think outside the box — especially during hurricane season.
During the height of construction, over 800 jobs were created in the local community. The Spotsylvania Solar project is expected to generate enough power to supply the equivalent of approximately 111,000 homes and offset 340,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
FUN FACT: This project is located just nine miles from the monument to Stonewall Jackson's arm.
