On-site energy developer Ameresco has completed its solar photovoltaic canopy at the Reston Town Center in northern Virginia and put the project into commercial operation.
The 1.3-MW rooftop PV system was developed in partnership with center developer and owner BXP. It is expected to generate an estimated 1.5 million kWh of renewable electricity annually.
Constructed behind-the-meter and atop a parking garage, the solar array is designed to both save costs on energy and reduce dependence on the electric grid.
“We’re delighted to see our partnership with BXP begin delivering reliable energy solutions to downtown Reston,” said Jonathan Mancini, Senior Vice President – Solar Project Development East, PV Grid-Tie at Ameresco, in a statement. “Developing the solar canopy project has been a phenomenal reminder of the innovative ways we can create solutions to provide energy security and resiliency to cities and towns across the country. We look forward to seeing Reston Town Center powered by efficient and affordable energy for years to come.”
Reston Town Center is a mixed-use retail, restaurant, residential and office development in the community considered a suburb of Washington, DC, and within a few miles of Dulles International Airport. Reston is considered a hub for northern Virginia’s data center complexes.
BXP, formerly known as Boston Properties Inc., primarily owns and manages much of the Reston Town Center. The development was originally conceived in the 1970s by Mobil Land Development with the first phase opening in 1990.
Reston Town Square has grown into a multi-block downtown development with more than 7,000 parking spaces. BXP has lauded this solar project as a key phase in the center’s future.
“Ameresco has been a critical partner in the delivery of impactful solar projects,” said Ben Myers, Senior Vice President of Sustainability at BXP. “This project required overcoming several economic, technical, and logistical hurdles. Ameresco’s commitment to the project, creativity, and proficiency in developing on-site, clean energy in the context of the bustling Reston Town Center, was essential in making this project a success.”
Reston will be the site of the upcoming Data Center Frontier Trends Summit
Happening Aug. 26-28 at the Hyatt Regency
