Lightsource BP to build solar farm for Mid-Kansas Electric Company
San Francisco, CA, 27 February 2018 – Lightsource BP has signed a 25-year power purchase and asset acquisition agreement with Mid-Kansas Electric Company (Mid-Kansas) Inc. An affiliate of Sunflower Electric Power Corp., Mid-Kansas is a cooperatively operated wholesale generation and transmission utility serving members across the state of Kansas.
Located in Stanton County, Kan., the 20-megawatt project will be built, owned and operated by Lightsource BP. Mid-Kansas will be purchasing all of the solar energy from the facility. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2019. When completed, the project will be the largest solar facility in Kansas.
“Harnessing the power of the sun is not a new concept. The economics are what have changed,” said Steve Epperson, Mid-Kansas Chairman of the Board. “The decreasing cost of photovoltaic technology, along with other industry dynamics, makes it the right time to bring solar energy into our generation mix.” Lightsource BP will provide the capital requirements for project financing and construction.
In addition to generating cost-effective on-peak energy and capacity, the solar facility will also reduce loading on a transmission line that is nearing full capacity, thus deferring or eliminating a costly upgrade requirement for the Mid-Kansas transmission system.
“We are delighted to team up with Mid-Kansas and Sunflower to deliver this landmark project,” said Lightsource BP’s North America Chief Commercial Officer Katherine Ryzhaya. “It is energizing to see solar be both a cost-effective power resource and a viable alternative to infrastructure upgrades. This project is a win-win for the communities of western Kansas.”
Lightsource BP is actively developing projects for cooperative, municipal and investor-owned utilities throughout the United States. “Solar economics have crossed a critical threshold of competitiveness versus traditional power sources,” said Ryzhaya. “We understand the needs of generation and transmission operators, and we are aligned in our mission to deliver cost savings and clean energy supply to their customers.”
The project has been collaboratively developed with the National Renewable Cooperative Organization (NRCO), which worked with its member-owner Mid-Kansas in structuring the Lightsource BP partnership.
“NRCO is pleased to have helped another one of its electric cooperative owners develop and contract solar capacity for its portfolio,” said Eric Spigelman, Director of Renewables Development. “Johnson Corner solar is a shining example of how a partnership approach can create significant value. NRCO applauds Mid-Kansas and Lightsource BP on their transaction.”
News
29 Apr, 2024
Financing of €315.34 million for Lightsource bp 560MWp solar project in Greece
This deal marks a key milestone for Lightsource bp’s growth in Europe and in Greece.
29 Apr, 2024
Lightsource bp celebrates World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2024
We’re celebrating World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2024, exploring the impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health.
26 Apr, 2024
Be the change: Lightsource Foundation shortlisted for three awards
The Lightsource Foundation has been shortlisted for three awards at both the Business Charity Awards, and Better Society Awards.
25 Apr, 2024
Experts in the field: Agriculture and solar working together
The mutually beneficial relationship between solar energy and agriculture can take many different forms.
24 Apr, 2024
Behind the scenes at Lightsource bp’s first battery energy storage project
Our Tiln battery project has now been energised. Here’s why this is a key milestone in our mission to build a renewable-powered grid.
19 Apr, 2024
Brazil’s Milagres Solar ranked in the top 10 for energy generation
Among the 13GW of utility-scale solar farms in operation in Brazil, two of Lightsource bp’s Milagres solar farms have ranked in the top 10 for renewable energy generation.
19 Apr, 2024
What is Biodiversity Net Gain, and how will it help nature?
Nature is vanishing at an alarming rate. This is no less than a crisis, with biodiversity loss affecting public health, food security, and efforts to curb climate change.
16 Apr, 2024
Do solar panels work on cloudy days?
Solar panels continue to generate renewable electricity even on gloomy days, but how does this work and what effect does cloud have on generation?
09 Apr, 2024
World Economic Forum brief: Clean energy as a catalyst for a nature-positive energy transition
World Economic Forum brief examining how building renewable energy can help biodiversity and leave ecosystems in better shape than they found them.
08 Apr, 2024
Solar summits to task force – Lightsource bp’s 2024 Q1 event highlights
We hit the ground running to kick off 2024 at Lightsource bp. Here's a glimpse of the highlights from a range of events we have been a part of so far.