bp light source and the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority marked the completion of the 130-MCDC/100-MWAC Black Bear Solar project. This project is one of the largest solar farms in Alabama and will bring sustainable power to 11 AMEA municipal utilities.
The 130 MW Black Bear Solar project in Alabama. bp light source
Located 15 miles from AMEA headquarters, Black Bear will supply solar power to AMEA under a 20-year power sales agreement with Lightsource bp. The project acts as a hedge against price volatility in the natural gas market while saving AMEA at least $40 million on the original 20-year power contract.
“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 made by Arizona-based First Solar, solar trackers made by New Mexico-based Array Technologies, and piles from foundation manufactured by Attala Steel, based in Mississippi. Over 400 people worked on the construction of the facility, the majority of whom were local workers.
“This project is a great example of how solar is a job driver for Americans,” said 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 Black Bear Solar project is being commissioned and is currently generating electricity into the grid and will be fully operational in November 2022.
“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.
News article from Lightsource bp