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When will solar construction start for Dominion’s projects in Charlotte County? We’ve heard that question several times. More than that, when will they go operational? That’s been another fairly constant one. Now we can fill in the blanks for some of that. 

First off, let’s take a look at Randolph Solar. One of the largest solar projects on the East Coast, this project is expected to produce 800 megawatts of power when complete, which could power 200,000 homes at peak output. Multiple lawsuits have been filed in an attempt to shut down the project. Each time, the cases have been dismissed. 

Solar construction on this is now set to be done in three phases, with everything finished by 2032 at the latest. The county’s board of supervisors approved a conditional use permit request for this project, located in the Wylliesburg/Red Oak area, in July 2022. It’s going to be a while before any construction takes place, however. Phase 1 design, set up to produce 200 megawatts, is just 30% finished. Dominion expects it to be 90% finished by the end of 2025. That design will have to go through the permitting system, which the company expects to happen in 2026. Then construction on Phase 1 would start in the second quarter of 2027, assuming the permits get approved. 

Phase 2 would then start soon after, adding another 300 megawatt capacity to this project. The permitting phase for that is now expected to start in 2028, with it going active in 2031 if everything gets approved and built on schedule. The final 300 megawatt section, to bring it up to 800 megawatts total, would then begin its permitting phase in 2029, with it potentially going active in 2032. 

So what benefit would this bring to Charlotte County? The anticipated yearly revenue, from property taxes and revenue sharing, would add up to $5 million, continued through the projected 50-year lifespan of the project. Dominion has a $500,000 payment due to Charlotte County in April of this year for Randolph Solar. 

A Courthouse project 

Another Dominion project in the permitting phase is Courthouse Solar. This is set to be built on 1,354 acres just southwest of Charlotte Court House, on 12 parcels owned by Blue Rock Resources, LLC, Ridgeway Farm LLC, and Robert Locke. Dominion acquired the project from NOVI Energy and now plans a 167 megawatt facility. 

If you want more detailed directions than just “southwest of Charlotte Court House,” the project is bound to the north by George Washington Highway (Route 40), to the west by Tollhouse Highway (Route 47), to the east by Eureka School Road and to the south by Ash Camp Creek. 

Over a 35-year lifespan, the solar project is expected to generate $15.073 million in property taxes and revenue sharing. 

As for what’s happening now, Dominion is finalizing their materials for an erosion and sediment control permit, as well as setting up bonds as required under the project conditions. Charlotte County officials have been reviewing the group’s progress, along with employees from Summit Engineering. Charlotte County staff have also been working with Dominion to develop a woody debris removal plan. Dominion is working to finalize their traffic plan for VDOT’s approval, but even so, this could be the quickest of the three to go to construction, as the current timeline has it being built within the first quarter of this year. 

Solar construction with Tall Pines

And finally, there’s Tall Pines Solar. NOVI Energy built this one as well before turning it over to Dominion. This would be a 220 megawatt project located in the area of Welsch Tract Road and Bethlehem Road near Charlotte Court House. The project would be going up on just more than 2,000 acres of land, owned by four different groups, with an estimated 530,000 solar modules.  

According to the siting agreement, the county is set to net more than $23 million over the project’s life from Tall Pines Solar, with the most significant payout coming in 2026 at $5.4 million. Construction as of now is estimated to start in Quarter 3 of 2026, with it going operational by quarter four of 2028.