Warner & Kaine Announce $610,000 in Federal Funding to Support the Expansion of Solar Energy Across Virginia

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced a total of $610,000 in federal funding toward seven solar photovoltaic renewable energy systems across Virginia. These grants will support local businesses in Covesville, Charlottesville, Front Royal, Huntly, and Colonial Beach.

“Investing in solar power is an important step towards cleaner energy that protects the environment. We’re proud to announce this funding to help local businesses in communities across Virginia meet their electricity needs through solar energy,” the Senators said.

The following local businesses will receive funding:

• $200,000 for Crown Orchard Company in Covesville, VA to finance three separate ground and roof mounted solar photovoltaic renewable energy systems. Each system will be constructed at a separate facility generating enough electricity to meet 102.7 percent of the total electricity requirements for the facilities.
• $249,000 for J. Hodges Solar, LLC in Charlottesville, VA to finance a ground mounted solar photovoltaic renewable energy system. The system will offset 100 percent of energy usage for Middlesex County’s Elementary and Middle Schools.
• $99,225 for Port Services Solar, LLC in Front Royal, VA to finance a roof mounted solar photovoltaic renewable energy system that will meet 21.6 percent of the electricity requirements for the entire business facility.
• $40,000 for Cana Cellars DBA Rappahannock Cellars in Huntly, VA to finance a ground mounted solar photovoltaic renewable energy system. The system will generate enough electricity to meet 96.8 percent of the total requirements for the business.
• $21,775 for Eagle Tree Farm Inc. in Colonial Beach, VA to finance a ground mounted solar photovoltaic renewable energy system to be constructed in Westmoreland County, VA. The system will generate enough electricity to meet 134 percent of the total electricity requirements for the agricultural producer.

The funding was awarded through the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program’s (REAP) Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Loans and Grants.