Solar farm at Manassas Regional on hold, but green initiative at Warrenton-Fauquier takes off

MANASSAS — A potential solar farm project at Manassas Regional Airport is being put on hold, as staff continues to research options to keep it cost-effective.

The farm would be placed on a portion of property identified as a flood plain, which makes traditional development on it challenging.

“It’s unused property at this point,” said Richard Allabaugh, airport operations at Manassas Regional. “It wouldn’t be a worthy site for development as far as business goes, but it could certainly be identified for use with green energy.”

Solar farms — or photovoltaic power stations — are large installations of solar panels that absorb sunlight to generate electricity. They are considered eco-friendly, because they do not produce pollution and consume far less water than traditional power plants.

In January the airport spoke with Virginia Solar, a local vendor, to gather information on costs and the amount of capital investment needed. However, airport officials have since concluded that the project would not be cost-effective.

“We have put the issue on hold,” Juan Rivera, airport director of Manassas Regional, told Potomac Local. “It was our hope that we would save money on our electric bill, but that does not look to be the case with our limited research.”

“We may look at alternative forms of energy savings, but as it stands, [Manassas Regional] would not have a lot to gain,” said Rivera.

Building projects like this is not an easy or inexpensive task. There are grants and state financial assistance programs that can be applied for, but they do not entirely cover the costs.

Over in Midland, the Virginia Department of Aviation approved an initiative for a green terminal at Warrenton-Fauquier Airport. Working with the state, airport officials developed 10,000 square feet of eco-friendly design with two floors and a comfortable passenger area.

The terminal incorporates many green elements including solar panels, geothermal HVAC, rainwater harvesting, high R-rated walls, thermal windows, and LED lighting.

“The main reason was to spur economic development in our county,” Dave Darrah, director of Warrenton-Fauquier Airport, told Potomac Local. “A viable airport with a suitable terminal that could provide services to companies was very important to us.”

“We wanted the building to meet the needs of our community not only for today, but for the next 50 years. We also wanted to incorporate the latest technology to keep costs down and be a friend to the environment,” said Darrah.

The project was five years in the making, all told, and included environmental assessments and special exception permit applications.

The Federal Aviation Administration covered 90 percent of entire site development costs. A total of 8 percent was provided by the state, and the other 2 percent came from the locality. The building itself was funded entirely by the state and locality. A local benefactor donated $1 million to the project as well.
“We’re very lucky,” said Darrah.

The building cost roughly $4.8 million, Darrah shared. A second phase is planned that will finish an access ramp and site development, which will cost another $2 million to $3 million.

Warrenton-Fauquier’s green terminal is on track to open this July. An August ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled to take place at the airport.