Fairfax County plans to install solar panels on government buildings

The Mason Government Center.

Fairfax County is proposing a plan to install solar panels at 22 public buildings.

The Board of Supervisors is holding a public hearing March 9 on a proposal to lease county-owned property to Sigora Solar LLC for the installation, operation, and maintenance of solar photovoltaic panels for electricity generation. 

The proposal includes these facilities in the Annandale/Mason District area: 

• Mason District Government Center and Police Station, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale.
• Lillian Carey Center, 5920 Summers Lane, Bailey’s Crossroads.
• Thomas Jefferson Library, 7415 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church.
• Merrifield Center and Merrifield Center Garage, 8221 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Merrifield.
• Edsall Road Fire Station, 5316 Carolina Place, Springfield. 

Reduced greenhouse gas

In December 2019, Fairfax County announced a solar power purchase agreement with Sigora Solar for rooftop installations on buildings owned by the county government, Fairfax County Public Schools, the Park Authority, and the Redevelopment and Housing Authority. 

Participation in the solar PPA program is expected to reduce the county’s greenhouse gas emissions and electricity costs.

The contract with Sigora Solar allows Fairfax County to purchase on-site renewable energy with little or no upfront or operational costs. 

Under the contract, Sigora will design, permit, install, and operate rooftop solar panels and sell the electricity generated by the solar panels to the county at a fixed rate and over a fixed term (25 to 28 years, depending on the term selected for the facility). 

Annandale HS will get solar panels

The 22 locations that will be considered during the March 9 hearing do not represent a complete list of the sites at which Sigora Solar will install solar panels. Other projects have already been approved, and solar projects for schools and non-governmental public facilities do not need to go through a public hearing process.

The Fairfax County School Board voted March 4 to move forward with a solar program that will allow FCPS to purchase renewable energy with little or no upfront or operational costs. 

The board authorized FCPS leadership to negotiate, execute, and administer project contracts with approved solar contractors.

FCPS and Sigora Solar are in discussions to begin the solar program at three sites: Annandale High School, Hayfield Secondary School, and Robinson Secondary School.