Squirrels love the solar-powered birdfeeder in my backyard. I’m pretty sure it’s the birdseed inside, not the little solar panel on the top, but I cannot be certain.
The Richmond Flying Squirrels, the Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants, will soon settle any debate.
That’s because Dominion Energy Virginia just announced plans to install a large solar array on the roof and parking lot of the Flying Squirrels’ future stadium. CarMax Park, currently under construction, is expected to be ready to welcome everyone’s favorite rodents by the start of the 2026 season.
Dominion will start work on the solar project, which includes more than 1,700 solar panels on the park’s two-tiered roof and five solar-covered carports in an adjacent parking lot, at the end of the Squirrels’ first season at CarMax. The installation is expected to be among the largest in all of professional baseball, including both the major and minor leagues. It will require local and state approval.
The setup will generate about 1 megawatt (MW) of carbon-free electricity, enough to power 250 Richmond homes at peak output. The stadium project will also count toward the company’s goal of using previously developed land for some power generation projects.
“We’re proud to partner with Dominion Energy Virginia to bring a new solar array to CarMax Park, further cementing Richmond’s leadership in clean energy,” Flying Squirrels Managing Partner Lou DiBella stated. “This project isn’t just about what happens inside the ballpark; it’s about stepping up as a community partner and using our platform to help bring clean energy to the city.”
If approved by regulators, the project will add to Dominion Energy’s growing solar fleet in Virginia, which is the third largest in the country among utilities and produces enough power for more than 750,000 homes at peak output.
“We’re thrilled that such an iconic Richmond landmark will help deliver reliable, affordable, and increasingly clean power for our customers,” said Ed Baine, Dominion Energy’s Executive Vice President of Utility Operations and President of Dominion Energy Virginia.
CarMax Park, named after the Richmond-based used car retailer, will serve as an anchor in the city’s newly named Diamond District, currently under redevelopment. In addition to ballgames, the venue will host large-scale events year-round, including concerts, festivals, and community gatherings. Developers broke ground on the site in September 2024.
Will the Giants’ AA squad of Squirrels be inexorably drawn to their new home’s 1,700 solar panels? Probably not, but if you sprinkle some sunflower seeds up there, I bet you could attract some of the real kind.
