C & L Electric Cooperative’s (C & L) new 1 MW solar array represents the distribution cooperative’s first owned generation source in its almost 80-year history, through a 20-year solar power services agreement. Installed by Today’s Power, Inc. (TPI), the single-axis tracking array consists of over 3,800 solar panels on eight acres of land near the cooperative’s headquarters.
Announcing the project, C & L Electric’s CEO, Greg Smith, said the project showed C & L’s commitment to maintaining a diversified mix of generation sources that includes renewables.
“At C&L Electric Cooperative, our mission is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to our members to enhance their quality of life. We are happy to partner with Today’s Power with this solar project and take a step into the renewable energy space,” said Greg Smith, CEO/General Manager of C&L Electric Cooperative.
TPI designed the 1.4 MW DC / 1 MW AC project that will allow C & L to secure a portion of the co-op’s energy costs over the 25-year warranty life of the project from clean, renewable and sustainable solar technology.
Today’s Power President Michael Henderson said, “we are extremely pleased to partner with C&L on this solar project. I have been impressed at how dedicated C&L’s Board of Directors, management team and work force are at providing reliable, affordable and responsible electricity for its members. This project has provided an economic boost to the Star City community. C&L has ensured that its members will receive low-cost, sustainable energy for the next 20 years.”
The partnership between C & L and Today’s Power will not only provide renewable energy but also will show how C & L seeks to be a good steward of the environment. Each year, this 1 MW of AC power generated by this will offset over 919 metric tons of CO2 emissions which is the same as offsetting:
103,416 gallons of oil consumed
156 homes electricity use for one year
2,280,536 miles driven by an average car (non-electric)
In the future, C & L plans to host educational tours of the site.
