Sunny Skies fot Solar Power at Dulles Airport

The same gorgeous rays of sunlight that smile on Chantilly will soon be generating enough electricity to power tens of thousands of homes as well as a fleet of vehicles serving Dulles International Airport.
As this edition of Chantilly Living goes to press, construction crews working for Dominion Energy are laying the groundwork for a major solar energy farm in the southwest corner of the Dulles complex. The Dulles Solar and Storage project, which is scheduled for completion in late 2026, is being touted as the largest renewable energy project ever for a U.S. airport.
Dominion Energy says the project’s array of solar panels will generate enough clean energy to power more than 37,000 Virginia homes at peak output. Those homes will include Dominion Energy Virginia customers in Chantilly, according to Dominion Energy spokesman Aaron F. Ruby.
The sun’s rays will be converted into up to 100 megawatts of electricity, according to Dominion Energy. The project will include up to 50 megawatts of power storage and two, 1-megawatt solar carports that partially energize Dulles facilities and provide enough juice for 18 electric transit buses and 50 electric fleet vehicles, as well as electric vehicle charging stations.
Officials from Dominion Energy and the Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority were joined by federal, state, and local leaders in August to ceremonially break ground for the project.
In remarks at the ceremony, U.S. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia called the groundbreaking “the beginning of a historic achievement – a first-of-its-kind renewable energy project at a major U.S. airport.”
“I’m hopeful this partnership will serve as a model for future renewable energy projects across the country, paving the way for a greener, energy-independent future,” Warner said.
Dominion Energy’s investment in solar power currently encompasses dozens of projects either already operating or under development across Virginia, providing enough electricity for 750,000 homes.

 The solar farm is being built on 835 acres in the southwest corner of the Dulles complex.

Artist’s portrayal of the project’s solar carport, which will power airport vehicles. Diagram courtesy Dominion Energy

A Dominion Energy brief on its solar power effort says the utility “plans to responsibly work with landowners, local governments, and community partners to develop enough renewable energy to power 4 million homes. These projects provide new tax revenues, jobs and economic opportunities for our communities. It’s all about maintaining reliability and building a brighter future for Virginia, our customers, and the environment.”
The Dominion Energy-Airports Authority partnership includes a first-of-its-kind lease agreement to further advance renewables and electric vehicles at Dulles. Instead of making annual lease payments for the use of Dulles property, Dominion Energy will develop solar carports that are able to power some of the airport’s vehicle fleet and facilities.
The utility’s Chantilly customers already contribute to the ongoing expansion of renewable energy options, such as the Dulles project, through a monthly payment scheme. Ruby notes that the cost is included in the clean energy charge on every customer’s monthly bill. “The charge is roughly $1.70 a month for a typical residential customer, but that includes dozens of solar facilities, not just Dulles,” he said.
The Dulles project also points to solid interest in the use of solar energy at airports across the country. A pioneer in this effort was the Tuscon, Arizona, airport, which installed a 12-acre solar farm between 2013 and 2017 that now powers much of the main terminal and other facilities.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is serving as a catalyst with financial support and by setting an example with, for example, a solar project now underway at its Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where the nation’s air traffic controllers receive training. Solar panels installed at the facility are expected to cut the center’s electric bill by up to $200,000 annually.
The federal government also recently announced grant awards for electric vehicle projects and charging stations at airports in Charlotte, Indianapolis, Boise, and several other cities coast to coast.
Solar panels at Dulles will be installed on about 835 of of the airport complex’s 13,000 acres. Construction of the project will support more than 300 jobs and $200 million in economic activity, Dominion Energy said.
Will Chantilly residents notice any changes in their surroundings once their airport neighbor completes the project, such as perhaps a humming sound from the panels or a glowing sky? “No,” answered Ruby directly. “In general, solar facilities have a minimal impact on the surrounding community, but especially this one because it will be located at a major international airport.”
The project received final approval earlier this year after an extensive, multiyear review by the FAA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Virginia State Corporation Commission, and other state and federal agencies.