Here comes the sun! New solar farm in Montgomery to serve 11 communities throughout Alabama

Lightsource bp, an energy company based in England, has secured a $100 million financing package for its 130 megawatt (MWdc) Black Bear Solar energy project in Montgomery County, Alabama. 

When complete, the project will be one of the largest solar energy projects of its kind in the state.

The project was possible by a power contract secured with Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA), which played a critical role in enabling investment and financing of this new energy infrastructure for Alabama. 

Located in Montgomery, AMEA is the wholesale power provider for 11 public power utilities in Alabama, which serve roughly 350,000 customers in the cities of:

• Alexander City
• Dothan
• Fairhope
• Foley
• LaFayette
• Lanett
•  Luverne
• Opelika
• Piedmont
• Sylacauga
• Tuskegee

Situated 15 miles from AMEA’s headquarters in Montgomery, the project will contribute almost $7 million in property tax revenue to county schools over the first 35 years of the project life. Other benefits:

• Black Bear solar project will generate enough electricity to power more than 20,000 homes
• The 130MW project will increase Alabama’s total installed solar capacity by more than 20%

Solar and sustainability projects are happening across the state. Check out a recent story about initiatives from Google in North Alabama to 144 Walmart stores.