bp light sourcewith the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA), have opened the 130 MW DC/100 MW AC Black Bear Solar Project for operation, which will serve the 11 AMEA member municipal utilities. Located 15 miles from AMEA headquarters, Black Bear will supply solar power to AMEA under a 20-year power sales agreement with Lightsource bp.
“AMEA saves money with a local renewable resource that helps us provide reliable, cost-effective power to our communities,” said Fred D. Clark, Jr., President and CEO of AMEA. “Combined with a fixed price contract for electricity from Black Bear Solar for the next 20 years, we are building more long-term stability and diversity into our energy portfolio.
Black Bear Solar was built using more than 280,000 ultra-low carbon solar panels manufactured by First Solar, solar trackers manufactured by Array Technologies, and foundation piles upon which the trackers manufactured by Attala Steel rest.
“This project is a great example of how solar is a job driver for Americans,” comments Kevin Smith, CEO of Lightsource bp Americas. “Black Bear Solar has created hundreds of jobs in the United States throughout the supply chain, supporting domestic manufacturing and helping build long-term careers for our clean energy future.”
The Montgomery County Commission and Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce were partners of both AMEA and Lightsource bp, helping to bring this project to fruition.
“We are grateful to AMEA and Lightsource bp for their important announcement in Montgomery and congratulate them on the completion of this important project,” said Doug Singleton, chairman of the Montgomery County commission. “This project will provide tremendous support to schools in Montgomery County, dollars the school system would not otherwise receive. This is a major economic development project for the rural part of our county with our strong business partner Lightsource bp.
“The Montgomery Chamber congratulates AMEA and Lightsource bp on this groundbreaking undertaking,” added Cedric Campbell, 2022 President of the Montgomery Chamber. “Innovative collaborations between public and private sector partners like this will fuel the region’s business and economic prosperity for years to come through clean, low-cost, low-impact renewable energy.”
The Black Bear Solar project is being commissioned and is currently generating electricity into the grid and will be fully operational in November 2022.