Project Profile: The Estate at River Run
Client: The Estate at River Run
Location: Goochland County, Virginia
System Size: 144.32 kW DC (solar canopy structure)
Completed: Fall 2025
The Challenge
The Estate at River Run, a luxury 62-acre event venue overlooking the James River, wanted to expand its capacity for weddings, corporate retreats, and large community gatherings. Their vision was ambitious: convert an unused tennis court into an elegant, open-air pavilion that could host hundreds of guests and power itself with clean energy.
Their dream required a highly customized solution. The structure had to function as an events space, meet the highest aesthetic standards, and generate enough electricity to offset the historic mansion’s annual energy usage. To the team’s knowledge, nothing like this had been built in Virginia.
The Solution
Commonwealth Power designed and delivered a fully customized solar pavilion that seamlessly merges architecture, hospitality, and renewable energy.
System highlights:
352 solar panels with elegant black aluminum frame
Supported by 24 Douglas Fir columns, eight solid sawn Glulam beams, and 154 steel purlins
Designed to offset the Estate’s 2024 site energy use
Dramatic lifetime energy savings
Built on the footprint of the former tennis court, the structure now hosts up to 612 seated guests for plated dining and over 700 for ceremonies and corporate events. Electrical infrastructure—circuits, outlets, lighting mounts, under-canopy fixtures—allows the facility to operate full-scale events while producing its own clean energy overhead.
It is believed to be the first custom-built solar pavilion of its kind in Virginia—and possibly the country.
Our Role
As the EPC partner, Commonwealth Power led the design, engineering, and installation of the solar system and canopy integration.
What made it work:
In-house design and engineering to blend structural aesthetics with solar performance
Close coordination with multiple trades: timber fabrication, lighting, structural engineers, civil contractors, and landscape crews
Precise electrical detailing, thanks to our master electrician expertise, to maximize generation without compromising event functionality
Precision installation on a fully custom structure
The Estate’s owners had a beautifully bold idea; we turned it into a code-compliant, high-capacity solar energy system that also serves as a stunning venue.
The Results
What began as an unused tennis court is now a remarkable energy-producing landmark on the James River.
Business & community impact:
A marquee outdoor venue that expands capacity and revenue
Economic benefit to Goochland County via increased tourism, lodging, and vendor activity
~192,700 kWh of clean energy per year
~106% of energy consumption offset
Meaningful reduction in utility costs
Nearly $1M in lifetime savings
Thousands of tons of avoided CO₂ emissions
Beyond the environmental and economic impact, we were able to realize the owners’ aesthetic vision: high ceilings to accommodate dramatic lighting and floral installations, matte black canopy hardware for a refined finish, and timber beams painted to match the mansion’s trim for visual continuity.
Shared Values
The Estate at River Run and Commonwealth Power both believe in the power of sustainability and craftsmanship to elevate communities, not just check compliance boxes.
We are both committed to:
Investing in long-term infrastructure
Designing for quality that lasts decades
Seamlessly blending architectural beauty and sustainable design
Leaving a cleaner, stronger community behind
The Solar Pavilion is proof that solar can be beautiful and efficient while shaping spaces, experiences, and legacies.
Behind the Build
“The Estate at River Run has always supported green initiatives, but this massive commitment truly shows how serious we are about bringing down our carbon footprint as part of our commitment to future generations.”
“It’s a breathtaking structure that shows solar doesn’t have to be hidden away on a roof. It can be the centerpiece. We’re proud to have helped bring this vision to life.”
