School Solar Power

BARC Electric Cooperative (BARC) is pleased to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Bath County Public Schools (BCPS) that has resulted in the largest public school solar array in Virginia. At a combined installed capacity of 1.11 MW (3,314 panels) spread across all three schools in Bath County, Virginia, the project is the largest school solar project in the Commonwealth, in both total capacity and as a percentage of the school system’s total consumption. The project now provides a whopping 56% of BCPS annual energy needs!

“With no out-of-pocket installation costs, and 56% of the school district’s energy needs provided for at 20-year fixed rates, this project protects both the school district and ultimately the taxpayers of Bath County, from future rate increases,” commented Mike Keyser, former Chief Executive Officer of BARC. “And in 20 years, BCPS will enjoy virtually free solar energy.” AEC President David Wall commented, “We are excited to work with BARC again on another groundbreaking solar project in Virginia. It is very important to me that the people of Bath County truly benefit from an economically-sound and well-designed project.”

The project also includes a robust energy and weather monitoring system that enables the general public, as well as teachers and students at all three schools to keep track of solar production, energy savings, and compare against weather patterns. To view the real-time production displays at each school, please click on the photos below.