FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2025
City of Charlottesville and Charlottesville City Schools Complete Solar System Installation at CATEC
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The City of Charlottesville and Charlottesville City Schools (CCS) announce the completion of a 262.9 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of Charlottesville Area Technical Education Center (CATEC). This system is the largest solar PV system in the City and CCS portfolio.
This summer, a new solar photovoltaic (PV) system which generates energy from the sun was installed on Charlottesville Area Technical Education Center (CATEC) and is now fully operational. This clean energy project started in May 2025 and was fully operational three months later in August 2025. It is expected this system will produce between 250,000 and 300,000 kWh per year and will meet over 60% of the building’s electricity need. So far, the system has produced over 76 MWh of electricity.
This climate action project represents a milestone in the City of Charlottesville’s commitment to clean energy adoption and resource conservation, aligning with the City’s community climate goals of reducing emissions 45% by 2030 and aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. It leverages the City of Charlottesville’s contract 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 teamed with a local solar system installation partner, Tiger Solar, as well as FLIPP Inc, a local nonprofit workforce development organization. Dedicated to fostering an inclusive workforce, FLIPP Inc offers renewable energy training, certification programs, and entrepreneurship development for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. This approach reflects the City’s commitment to local businesses and workforce development and intentional collaboration on climate action.
CATEC is a member of the Community Climate Collaborative’s Green Business Alliance (GBA), a network of Virginia-based businesses committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The installation of this PV system is a major step towards achieving greenhouse gas reductions and utility bill savings at CATEC and demonstrates the organization’s leadership in the community.
“We’re thrilled to have this system deployed and now producing clean energy, showing students at CATEC firsthand how solar is a lucrative and viable industry to get into. The positive climate impacts, cost savings, and educational benefits made this an extremely important project for the City to pursue,” says Kristel Riddervold, Director of the City’s Office of Sustainability.
The City is planning for more PV installations across its portfolio of facilities.
A recent ribbon cutting video is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkH5Ryz-kdY
More information about the Charlottesville municipal solar portfolio is here: https://www.charlottesville.gov/CitySolar
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Media Contact
Kristel Riddervold
Director, Office of Sustainability
City of Charlottesville
434-970-3631
riddervold@charlottesville.gov