MECC Goes Solar: Powering Education and Careers in Coal Country

BIG STONE GAP, VA – February 16, 2026 – In a region long defined by coal, Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) is now harnessing the power of the sun. The college has officially completed a 767-kilowatt solar power system across its campus, a landmark project that promises not only substantial energy savings and environmental benefits but also a direct pathway for students into the growing clean energy workforce.

The initiative, developed in partnership with Staunton-based Secure Solar Futures, positions MECC as a pioneer in sustainability and economic transition within Southwest Virginia and the entire state community college system.

The Power of a Smart Partnership

At the heart of the project is a financial model that made the entire installation possible without any upfront capital expenditure from the college. Through a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Secure Solar Futures financed, built, owns, and will operate and maintain the system. MECC, in turn, agrees to purchase the clean electricity generated by the panels at a rate lower than what it currently pays the local utility.

This model is increasingly popular among public institutions and non-profits, which often lack the large capital budgets for such infrastructure projects and, as non-taxable entities, cannot directly benefit from federal incentives like the Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The PPA structure allows the developer to leverage these credits, passing the savings onto the client through a lower energy price.

For MECC, the financial implications are significant. The 1,651 solar panels, manufactured by Jinko Solar and installed on the rooftops of Dalton-Cantrell Hall, Holton Hall, Robb Hall, and Phillips-Taylor Hall, will generate over a million kilowatt-hours of electricity in their first year. This output will satisfy approximately 31% of the campus's total power needs. Projections show the college is set to save an estimated $621,986 in electricity costs over the 25-year term of the PPA.

After the agreement concludes, MECC has the option to acquire ownership of the system for a nominal cost. With a productive lifespan of 35 to 40 years, the solar array is expected to yield total net savings of more than $2.4 million for the college, freeing up critical funds for its educational mission. This financial model has been proven successful in other Virginia school systems that have partnered with Secure Solar Futures, with institutions like Roanoke City and Prince William County Public Schools anticipating tens of millions in savings over the life of their respective solar projects.

From Coalfields to Solar Careers

Beyond the financial and environmental metrics, the project's most profound impact may be its role in workforce development. In a region actively seeking economic diversification beyond its coal heritage, the MECC initiative serves as a tangible example of the green economy in action.

“Going solar is an exciting opportunity for our students and for the whole MECC community,” said MECC President Kristen Westover. “While saving money on energy and doing our part to help the environment, getting solar panels on campus is a tangible sign that we are bringing the 21st-century economy to southwest Virginia.”

This vision was put into practice through an integrated student internship program. Five MECC students participated directly in the installation, gaining invaluable, paid experience. The program, a collaboration between Secure Solar Futures and the construction contractor GOT Electric, provided a comprehensive “classroom-to-career” pipeline. Students began with a seven-day intensive course covering industrial safety, construction fundamentals, the national electrical code, and solar installation theory, earning nine college credits and a $500 stipend.

They then transitioned to paid, on-the-job training, working alongside certified professionals from GOT Electric at a rate of $17 per hour. Secure Solar Futures further supported the students by covering travel costs and providing them with their own set of professional tools and work boots to keep. At the conclusion of the project, the investment in these students paid off: all five were offered and accepted full-time employment with GOT Electric, where they can continue building a career in the rapidly expanding solar industry.

A Blueprint for Regional and Statewide Change

The MECC project was bolstered by a $100,000 incentive grant from The Coalfield Solar Fund, an initiative supported by the global financial technology platform Intuit. The fund was specifically established to accelerate solar adoption at schools and colleges in Virginia and West Virginia's historic coalfield communities, helping regions that once powered the nation transition to a new energy future.

The project's significance extends far beyond Big Stone Gap. MECC is the first of the 23 institutions in the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) to take advantage of a system-wide agreement that allows any member college to adopt solar through a PPA with Secure Solar Futures. This pre-negotiated framework removes many of the administrative hurdles that can slow down such projects, creating a streamlined path for other community colleges across the state to follow MECC's lead.

“MECC is showing leadership in southwest Virginia, setting an example for this historic energy-producing region to tap into solar power at a scale that benefits the local community,” noted Tony Smith, CEO of Secure Solar Futures. “But the college’s leadership extends further afield, leading the whole Virginia Community College network towards a solar future.”

By demonstrating a model that is financially prudent, environmentally responsible, and directly tied to local workforce creation, Mountain Empire Community College has not just installed solar panels. It has built a powerful blueprint for how public institutions can lead the charge in an equitable energy transition, generating power, savings, and opportunity for generations to come. The clean energy produced in its first year alone will offset 958 metric tons of carbon, equivalent to taking 223 gasoline-powered cars off the road, a clear signal of a cleaner, brighter future taking root in the mountains of Southwest Virginia.