Coal-state Kentucky just broke ground on its largest solar farm

[Think. Again.]

Michelle Lewis | Dec 18 2023 - 12:19 pm PT
Full Article: https://electrek.co/2023/12/18/largest-solar-farm-in-kentucky/

Kentucky’s largest solar farm is coming

National Grid Renewables has broken ground on what will be the largest solar farm in Kentucky once it comes online in 2024.

The 160-megawatt (MW) solar farm is called Unbridled, and it’s in Henderson and Webster counties in western Kentucky. National Grid is partnering with North Dakota-based Wanzek Construction to build the solar farm. It will be capable of generating enough clean energy annually to power around 120,000 households.

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The solar farm is expected to provide around $42 million in direct economic impact over the first 20 years of operations. This includes the creation of at least 200 jobs, the production of more than $11 million in new tax revenue, and more than $24 million to local farmers and landowners.

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As of the third quarter of 2023, the percentage of Kentucky’s electricity from solar was a measly 0.41% – that’s only enough solar to power 18,311 homes. The state is ranked 43rd in the US for solar energy, so Unbridled will significantly boost its renewable capacity next year.

Even more renewable growth is coming for the Bluegrass State. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) projects Kentucky’s solar gain to be 3,370 MW over the next five years, which would rocket the state to 16th in the country for installed solar.

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Full Article: https://electrek.co/2023/12/18/largest-solar-farm-in-kentucky/

It's good to see Coal States are finally being responsible to their residents by allowing clean energy industries to replace the jobs lost to the death of coal, especially considered that defunct coal mines offer environmentally non-disruptive locations for solar and wind that have already been ecologically destroyed and could be environmentally improved with proper site development.

If Joe Manchin hadn't protected his own family's personal coal assets over his constituent's livelihoods, he could have used his considerable power in the Inflation Reduction Act to secure a huge economic and environmental boost for the desperate citizens of West Virginia.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

1. I want to see parking lots turned into solar farms.

[Think. Again.]

2. Yes!

There are so many spaces that can be used for solar without affecting important environmentally sensitive areas.

Even certain types of existing and productive farmland will become more profitable with the addition of photovoltaics;

https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/agrivoltaics-solar-and-agriculture-co-location

[mopinko]

3. esp in the snow belt!

even tho i’m in an urban area, we still have plenty of parking lots.
i wonder how big an offset not plowing the parking lots wd b.

[mopinko]

4. i'm probably gonna say this a million times, but i think a candidate w a 'green new deal' platform cd win wv.

renewable energy- solar on the flattened mountain tops, and wind in those valleys. regenerative ag- grow hemp, turn manure into electricity.
affordable housing that is energy independent, built w green standards.
mine those heavy metals in the coal ash ponds.

cuz what’s jim justice offering? we must contest every seat. this is 1 of those elections where anything can happen.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

5. I agree 100%. Generally, candidates who run strong on the D platform, win.

What you describe is not some far left thing, it's what's needed.