West Virginia recently reached a milestone in renewable energy with the completion of the third solar farm out of a total of five planned projects. This latest solar farm, located in Marlowe in Berkeley County, boasts a 5.75 megawatt capacity and consists of 17,000 solar panels spread across approximately 36 acres of land. Interestingly, this land was previously used to store ash from the retired R. Paul Smith Power Station.
FirstEnergy subsidiaries Mon Power and Potomac Edison undertook the task of transforming this former waste site into a clean energy generator as part of their solar program. The construction of the solar farm involved the efforts of fifty-four local union workers and utilized US-made solar panels, a racking system, and other electrical equipment. With the completion of this project, the companies now have a total solar capacity of 30 MW, with plans to generate up to 50 MW of clean energy from all five solar farms combined.
Despite the positive impact on carbon emissions and the creation of over 87,000 Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) available for purchase by customers, there is a downside for customers in West Virginia. Customers are required to pay an additional fee to buy into solar energy, which raises questions about the overall affordability and accessibility of renewable energy in the state. However, the growth of solar energy in West Virginia is a step in the right direction, especially considering the state’s history of coal production.
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, West Virginia currently ranks 49th in the US for installed solar capacity, with 205 MW of solar energy already in place. However, projections show that the state is expected to climb to 40th place within the next five years, with an estimated 1,064 MW of solar capacity. This anticipated growth signals a positive shift towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources in West Virginia.
In conclusion, while there are challenges to overcome in terms of affordability and accessibility, the progress of solar energy in West Virginia is a promising development. By continuing to invest in renewable energy infrastructure and incentivizing the adoption of solar power, the state can work towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.
