Three communities in far west Kentucky could soon operate small solar facilities as part of a state project testing integration into the power grid. The Kentucky Public Service Commission has approved Big Rivers Electric Corporation’s proposal to build facilities in seven locations including Paducah, Benton and Livingston County.
The project would aggregate an output of 120 kilowatts and cost Big Rivers up to $4,000 to operate annually. Jackson Purchase Energy will operate the three regional locations and produce 10 kilowatts each.
They will be located at Livingston County Middle School, McCracken County High School and Mike Miller Park.
Big Rivers said in a release the project will cost an estimated $500,000 and is anticipating a USDA Rural Energy for America Program grant to partially fund the project as planned.
Big Rivers also said its facilities would serve to educate the public about solar energy.
