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Dalton-Cantrell building at MECC with rooftop solar panels

A College Makes History and Students Get Solar Jobs in Coal Country

A College Makes History and Students Get Solar Jobs in Coal Country

Feb 17, 2026

Mountain Empire Community College will save $2.4 million by going solar. Even better, the college helped students in Southwest Virginia move into careers as solar installers.

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Why Starting Construction by July 4, 2026 Can Lock in Lower Costs for Solar PPAs

Why Starting Construction by July 4, 2026 Can Lock in Lower Costs for Solar PPAs

Jan 20, 2026

Schools, hospitals and businesses that want to go solar will get better PPA rates if they act before federal tax credits expire.

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New Article Exposes Dominion’s Plan to Stop Schools from Going Solar and Shows How One School Fought Back 

New Article Exposes Dominion’s Plan to Stop Schools from Going Solar and Shows How One School Fought Back 

Dec 29, 2025

Fairfax County Schools, one of the largest systems in the nation, had equally big ambitions to lead the nation's schools on solar power. But Dominion had other ideas.

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Virginia Mercury logo

A New Approach for AI Data Centers to Contribute Positively to Virginia’s Energy Landscape

A New Approach for AI Data Centers to Contribute Positively to Virginia’s Energy Landscape

Nov 21, 2025

Virginia Governor-Elect Abigail Spanberger has called for AI data centers to "pay their fair share" to provide the energy they need. SSF CEO Tony Smith offers an innovative idea to add new power while boosting Virginia's economy.

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man connecting computer cables

Data Centers Really Do Raise Energy Prices

Data Centers Really Do Raise Energy Prices

Nov 12, 2025

The Washington Post, owned by the world's largest data center operator, Jeff Bezos, just claimed that data centers have not increased power costs but have actually lowered them, despite what everyone thinks. Here's why the Post is wrong.

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Screenshot of story from The Current on RCPS solar

An Insider’s Take on Why Roanoke Decided to Build More Solar Energy than any K-12 System in Virginia

An Insider’s Take on Why Roanoke Decided to Build More Solar Energy than any K-12 System in Virginia

Nov 03, 2025

Jeff Shawver of Roanoke Schools knows that going solar can save real money for public schools. But there's a right and a wrong way to do it. And he wants people at other schools to know the difference.

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Meet Our New Directors of Business Development and Technology 

Meet Our New Directors of Business Development and Technology 

Sep 15, 2025

Secure Solar Futures has put two veteran staffers in charge of Business Development and the combined areas of Technology and Finance.

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Virginia Regulators Reject APCo Bid to Cut Net Metering Rates

Virginia Regulators Reject APCo Bid to Cut Net Metering Rates

Sep 02, 2025

Appalachian Power asked Virginia regulators to let the company pay less for power from customers with solar. But the state refused, affirming the value of net-metered solar power.

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chart on electrical supply and demand with and without solar

6 Reasons Why Congress Should Keep Solar Tax Credits

6 Reasons Why Congress Should Keep Solar Tax Credits

Jun 11, 2025

President Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill passed by the House cuts incentives to keep solar power growing. Six charts show why that's a bad idea.

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Eric Hurlocker

In Memory of Eric Hurlocker: Solar Warrior, Trusted Partner, and Friend

In Memory of Eric Hurlocker: Solar Warrior, Trusted Partner, and Friend

Jun 04, 2025

Eric Hurlocker helped advance solar power in Virginia through his passion for clean energy and legal expertise. But he was also a good man and a good friend.

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engineer holding laptop

Should You Worry about the Energy Needs of Data Centers?

Should You Worry about the Energy Needs of Data Centers?

May 27, 2025

Homes and businesses could wind up paying up to 70% more for power as utilities scramble to supply energy-hungry data centers.

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AEP/APCo Case in WV Could Bode Well for VA

AEP/APCo Case in WV Could Bode Well for VA

Apr 08, 2025

This technical article looks at the current American Electric Power net metering tariff case in West Virginia for clues as to what's coming in Virginia.

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