We were pleased to be involved in the University of Richmond and our client, Secure Futures, announcing an agreement to install solar panels on the roof of UR’s Weinstein Center for Recreation and Wellness. “Being a graduate of both Richmond College and the T.C. Williams School of Law, it is particularly rewarding to be involved in this great project for our client and the University,” said Eric Hurlocker, co-managing member of the firm. “Our firm has had a great relationship with Richmond, and we look forward to continuing to be part of the University community.”

Secure Futures is a solar energy developer based in Staunton, Va., founded in 2004. We wrote about the company last November when they received a Solar Innovation of the Year award from the Maryland-D.C.-Virginia Solar Energy Industry Association. Secure Futures now owns and manages approximately 650 kilowatts of solar capacity across the Commonwealth and expects rapid growth in 2015, with a focus on the higher education sector in Virginia. You can follow them on Twitter.

Under the power purchase agreement with University of Richmond, Secure Futures will construct, own and operate a 204-kilowatt solar photovoltaic array. Once in full operation, Secure Futures expects to sell more than 226,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity to the University each year, which is the equivalent to the average annual electricity use of for one campus residence hall. Secure Futures plans to commence construction during the summer of 2015, with commercial operation scheduled to occur before students arrive back to campus for the next school year.

Notably, this project is one of the first to participate in Dominion Virginia Power’s third party power purchase agreement pilot program, which has been implemented by the Virginia State Corporation Commission. The pilot program is the result of 2013 legislation in Virginia that specifically authorizes the development of certain renewable generating facilities, such as solar, and the direct sale of the electricity produced from the facilities to end use customers in Dominion Virginia Power’s service territory. For more information on the University of Richmond project, or any renewable energy matters, please contact one of our solar energy or utility rate lawyers.

Author

Eric Hurlocker
ehurlocker@greenehurlocker.com
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