CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The City of Charlottesville and Charlottesville City Schools (CCS) are pleased to announce that the installation of a 262.9 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) rooftop array at the Charlottesville Area Technical Education Center (CATEC) has begun. CATEC is a regional technical education center that helps high school students and adults obtain the jobs they seek and is dedicated to preparing its students for quality career employment and lifelong learning. Targeting completion in Fall 2025, this project will be the City’s largest rooftop solar installation.
The solar array will consist of 478 panels with a projected onsite power generation of 250,000 kWh annually—accounting for over 60% of the building’s energy consumption. The system will also be remotely monitored, allowing City staff to track energy production and savings in real time
“We are committed to climate action being realized across the City government, which includes the school buildings we manage for CCS. This project will make a big difference in how CATEC is powered, reducing both energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions by generating onsite clean energy,” says City Manager Sam Sanders.
This project represents a milestone in Charlottesville’s commitment to clean energy adoption and resource conservation, aligning with the City’s climate goals of reducing emissions by 45% by 2030 and aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. The initiative builds on the City of Charlottesville’s partnership with CMTA to design and deliver projects through a Master Energy Performance Contract aimed at improving energy efficiency, reducing water consumption, and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. CMTA is an energy services company that delivers decarbonization and occupant health and wellness through energy efficient, sustainable projects.
CMTA is teaming with a local installation partner, Tiger Solar, as well as FLIPP, a local nonprofit workforce development organization. Dedicated to fostering an inclusive workforce, FLIPP offers renewable energy training, certification programs, and entrepreneurship development for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. These partners reflect the City’s commitment to local businesses and workforce development and the intent to collaborate on climate action.
“We are an active member of the Community Climate Collaborative’s Green Business Alliance (GBA), a leadership circle of Virginia-based businesses who have committed to deep emissions reductions. Installing solar on our facility will help us fulfill the emissions reduction pledge and will provide us with a fantastic opportunity to model clean energy as a realistic and tangible strategy to our students,” shares CATEC Director, Dr. Stacey Heltz.
“CMTA is excited to be partnering with a city that continues to deploy onsite solar on public buildings as one of their key carbon footprint reduction strategies to meet their climate action goals. This is going to be a great project!” says Brian Duvall, CMTA Principal Engineer.
The City is leveraging a Guaranteed Energy Savings Performance Contract for cost savings and, upon project completion, is also planning to pursue federal tax credits for eligible clean energy projects.
Media Contact
Kristel Riddervold
Director, Office of Sustainability
City of Charlottesville
434-970-3631
riddervold@charlottesville.gov
