The US Department of Navy (DON) and Dominion Virginia Power have unveiled plans to develop a 21MW direct current (DC) solar facility at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

It is the second solar projec that the navy department has partnered with Dominion.

Last September, DON had awarded a 10 year contract to purchase 25MW DC, which equals to 6% of the Naval Station Norfolk’s electricity requirements.

In exchange for the use of DON land, NAS Oceana will receive consideration in-kind in the form of electrical infrastructure upgrades.

Dominion Virginia Power will construct, own, operate and maintain the 21MW solar facility for 37 years.

Navy Region Mid-Atlantic commander Rear Adm. Jack Scorby, Jr said: "Renewable energy projects, like the one at NAS Oceana and others throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region, are win-win-win collaborations. They're good for the utility companies, good for our installations and good for the communities surrounding our installations.

"These projects increase the energy security, energy diversity and energy resiliency of our bases. Energy security, or having assured access to reliable supplies of energy and the ability to protect and deliver sufficient energy to meet mission-essential requirements, is critical to our installations' roles to support the Fleet."

Dominion chairman, president and CEO Thomas Farrell II said: "Our thanks to the Department of the Navy for their partnership on this important solar installation.

"This collaboration shares common goals–investing in the growth of renewable energy and helping to make the military's energy supply more secure."

The project needs to be approved by the Virginia State Corporation Commission. Dominion plans to submit the request in summer and expects that the facility to be completed and operational in late 2017.

The DON is evaluating the next level of energy technology advances like battery storage, electrification, fuel cells and microgrids to further improve its energy security, operational capability, strategic flexibility and resource availability.