Lightsource bp inaugurates 100-MW solar farm in Alabama

Lightsource bp, the UK-based, BP Plc (LON:BP)-backed solar developer, on Thursday inaugurated its 130-MW DC/100-MW AC Black Bear Solar project, one of the largest solar farms in Alabama.

The solar park is in the process of commissioning and will be fully operational next month.

The project has a 20-year contract with the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA) to provide solar energy to its 11 member municipal utilities. It is expected to save AMEA at least USD 40 million (EUR 40.8m) over the initial 20-year power contract, acting as a hedge against volatility in natural gas prices, the developer said.

“AMEA is saving money with a home-grown, renewable resource that helps us provide dependable, economical power to our communities,” commented AMEA president and chief executive Fred D Clark Jr.

“This project is a great example of how solar is a job engine for Americans,” according to Kevin Smith, chief executive of Lightsource bp Americas.

It features more than 280,000 panels from Arizona-based First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR), solar trackers from New Mexico-based Array Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:ARRY) and foundational piles from Mississippi-based Attala Steel. The construction process employed more than 400 people.

(USD 1 = EUR 1.019)

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