Lightsource BP has started construction of a 70MW trio of Pennsylvanian solar projects that will provide power to Penn State University.
The power from the three farms will be supplied to the university for a 25-year period. It is estimated to cover 25% of the institution's current power needs.
Try Premium for just $1
- Full premium access for the first month at only $1
- Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
- Cancel anytime during the trial period
Premium Benefits
- Expert industry analysis and interviews
- Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
- Exclusive event discounts
Or get the full Premium subscription right away
Or continue reading this article for free
More than 150,000 solar panels will be installed across three locations in Franklin County, a 20-mile distance from Penn State’s Mont Alto campus.
A spokesperson told PV Tech in late August that the sites will be live by the summer of 2020.
Lightsource BP wants the project to serve as a “national blueprint” for how to maximise the sustainability benefits of solar farming, according to a statement. It plans to intersperse native vegetation between the panels to entice pollinators and help the land recover from prior farming uses.
The London-headquarted firm claims to have a portfolio of 2GW of operational solar projects worldwide and is intent on growing that number. In May this year, the firm secured a multi-million debt financing from a Canadian institutional financier to develop a 700MW global pipeline. In July, it scooped up 1.9GW in Brazil from developer Enerlife. It is also working with EverSource to co-finance new Indian utility-scale renewables.
US solar prospects amid PPA uptake and a changing policy landscape will take centre stage at Solar Media's Solar & Storage Finance USA, to be held in New York on 29-30 October 2019
