Appalachian Electric Cooperative Breaks Ground on Community Solar Project

Staff Photo by Angie Stanley

On August 1, a great step was made for Jefferson County’s renewable energy future.  Appalachian Electric Cooperative broke ground on a seven acre Community Solar Project. Funded through a grant provided by the Tennessee Valley Authority, the “Solar Farm” is located on a site adjacent to AEC’s New Market Substation on West Highway 11-E, near New Market Elementary.

The impressive site will be home to 9,471 photovoltaic panels, covered with a thin film to absorb the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity.  The facility is expected to generate over 1.8 million kilowatt-hours in the first year of operation.  Based on average energy used by AEC’s residential members, the facility will produce enough clean energy to supply all the power needs of 130 homes for an entire year.

An area of the site will be dedicated to helping the community understand how solar power works and why renewable energy is an important future source of power.  AEC will be partnering with local schools to develop a space that can be used to help educate area children.

Members can subscribe to the generation of solar panels and receive credit on their AEC statement bill. The one-time up-front cost is $125 per panel, which are rated at 145 watts each.  Also, members can gift the subscription to any non-profit organization or educational institution served by AEC, or in memory or honor of someone.  There is currently a 5,000 watt cap per residential member and a 10,000 cap for commercial subscriptions.

Some of the advantages to participating in a Community Solar Program versus a rooftop installation is the average investment return on rooftop panels is around 15 years, whereas the participants in a community co-op sees the return in around 12 years.  Also participation is beneficial to renters, and people whose properties are shaded, who often cannot install rooftop panels.

Knoxville based ARiES Energy is heading up the facilities construction, with the National Renewable Cooperative Organization assisting in the management of the site.  Project completion and interconnection with the power grid is targeted for the fall.  Members with questions or who would like to subscribe to the panels are encouraged to contact Appalachian Electric Cooperative for information, and follow Co-op Community Solar on Facebook and Twitter.