The Fitch Solar project is a proposed solar project in Fauquier County, Virginia that will incorporate the most advanced solar energy technologies to support the Commonwealth’s goal to transition its electric grid to 100% clean energy by 2050. AES, which will own and operate the Fitch Solar facility, is now seeking local permitting for the project.
Sustainable clean energy development
The Fitch Solar project has been carefully designed to produce safe, reliable, low-cost clean energy while co-existing with current agricultural land uses in the area. The project will incorporate sustainable clean energy development practices, which include extensive vegetative buffers and significant setbacks to minimize the visual impact of the project for nearby landowners and residents to maintain the rural nature of the area.
Project overview
Up to 125 MW
solar energy
Enough clean energy to power
20,000 homes
~1,000-acre site
developed entirely on privately-owned land
219,000 MWh
of carbon-free electricity every year
94,700 metric tons
CO2 emissions expected to be offset annually
35-year
project life span
Located on Marsh Road, five miles south of Bealeton, Virginia
Project timeline
Accelerating Virginia’s clean energy leadership
Clean energy is playing an increasingly vital role in Virginia’s economy. AES has a proven track record developing successful clean energy projects in the Commonwealth that provide affordable and reliable clean energy while creating significant economic opportunities and benefits for local landowners and communities. We do this while preserving the rural nature of the areas where our projects are located.
AES’ recently completed Skipjack Solar Center in Charles City County, Virginia is a testament to the importance of strong local partnerships in successful clean energy development.
Community engagement
AES is headquartered in Virginia and is committed to being a good neighbor to the Fauquier County community and the Commonwealth. We work diligently to maximize the positive economic and social impacts our clean energy projects have on local communities.
Our projects are carefully developed in partnership with landowners and the local communities. Together, we create lasting, positive benefits for landowners and create significant economic opportunities in the community over the life of the project, without adding any additional burden on existing infrastructure or local services.
We partner with a broad cross section of community leaders from government, local businesses, education, social services and residents to identify opportunities where AES can support high-impact community initiatives, programs and institutions. AES is a proud member of the Fauquier County Chamber of Commerce.
Meet your AES team
Greg Creswell
Senior Development Manager
AES
As the lead developer for the Fitch Solar project, Greg is responsible for coordination of all development aspects of the project, including securing land rights, interconnection rights, local permitting and property tax agreements. Greg has more than eight years of experience in renewables, including development, coordination with construction and three years of solar facility operations, giving him a detailed understanding of solar projects from start to finish. Greg is a graduate from The University of Richmond with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. When not building a sustainable future for his children, he enjoys camping, fishing and paddle boarding with them.
Jenn D’Augustine
Permitting Manager
AES
Jenn D’Augustine is a permitting manager at AES and has 8 years of experience in environmental and land use permitting specializing in renewable energy. She manages permitting efforts for AES’ utility-scale solar projects throughout the eastern United States by determining permitting strategies and coordinating with a variety of stakeholders to ensure project success. Jenn is a professional wetland scientist based in Richmond, Virginia and she enjoys all things outdoors, including hiking, kayaking and upland gamebird hunting.
Helen Humphreys
Stakeholder Relations Manager
AES
Helen Humphreys began her career in local and state government, which has helped her to understand the challenges that locally elected officials face every day. Since 2015, Helen has built support for energy projects in the mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions of the U.S. Her responsibilities include identifying, building and leveraging partnerships between business, government and civic organizations to ensure AES community support is aligned with community values.
