Governor Strickland Helps Dedicate Ohio's Largest
Solar Farm
UPPER SANDUSKY, Ohio, Aug 19, 2010 /PRNewswire
The Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG) hosted Ohio
Governor Ted Strickland and other government officials at an event today
dedicating the PSEG Wyandot Solar Farm, in Wyandot County, Ohio. The
12-megawatt facility is the largest solar installation operating in
Ohio.
Owned by PSEG Solar Source, the solar farm is an outstanding example of
Ohio's burgeoning clean-energy economy at work. It was built by Ohio
workers with much of the equipment produced in state. With more than
159,000 ground-mounted panels on 80 acres, the solar farm produces
enough emission-free electricity to keep the lights on and air
conditioning humming for more than 9,000 homes when the sun is shining.
"You don't have to be from Wyandot County or even the state of Ohio to
be proud of what has been accomplished here," said PSEG's Chairman, CEO
and President Ralph Izzo. "The Wyandot Solar Farm points the way
forward, and is both an environmental and economic win. As a nation, we
can all benefit from a future with more green energy that improves our
energy security, helps in the fight against climate change and creates
good jobs."
Gov. Strickland called the solar farm a glimpse into Ohio's future.
"Today we are flipping the switch on Ohio's largest solar farm. But
we're really flipping the switch on the future," said Strickland.
"Because we made a commitment to advanced energy in Senate Bill 221, the
sun will not only power Ohio homes, it will power Ohio jobs. We have
solar panels made in Perrysburg. Installed by Ohioans. And creating
clean, renewable energy for Ohio businesses."
"Ohio is a leader in advanced energy," added Strickland. "You can see
that right here."
American Electric Power subsidiaries, Columbus Southern Power and Ohio
Power Companies, have a long-term agreement with PSEG Solar Source to
purchase the electricity generated at the farm. The solar farm links to
the grid at the Upper Sandusky Substation via a four-mile long generator
lead.
PSEG Solar Source focuses on developing utility-scale solar gardens and
farms, generally of at least two megawatts in size. PSEG Solar Source
also owns a 2-megawatt solar farm in Hackettstown, NJ, serving the
adjacent Mars Chocolate factory and is nearing completion of a
15-megawatt facility in Jacksonville, FL. The output of that plant will
be provided to the Jacksonville Electric Authority.
"This is an important milestone for PSEG Solar Source, demonstrating our
ability to successfully develop, construct and operate utility scale
projects," said Diana Drysdale, head of PSEG Solar Source. "Solar farms
like this one in Wyandot County, boost local economies through direct
project related employment and the development of skills and experience
that will increasingly be in demand. These projects are effectively
driving down the cost of solar power enabling it to become a meaningful
part of the energy mix."
PSEG Solar Source worked closely with the Wyandot Economic Development
office to maximize local business participation in the project.
juwi solar Inc. (JSI) was the engineering, procurement and construction
contractor and developed the Wyandot Solar Farm. Vaughn Industries,
based in Wyandot County, was the primary construction contractor. Ohio
residents filled nearly all of the construction jobs created by the
project. First Solar, which has a major manufacturing plant in
Perrysburg, OH, supplied the solar panels. Myers Controlled Power of
North Canton, OH, provided the power stations.
"This project is the result of a mutually beneficial partnership between
PSEG Solar Source and the Wyandot community," said Eric Romich, director
of Wyandot County Economic Development. "It has helped nurture an
incubating clean energy economy that will provide economic and
environment benefits for decades to come."
PSEG Wyandot Solar Farm fact sheet and photos are available at
www.pseg.com/wyandot.
PSEG is a Newark, NJ-based publicly traded diversified energy company
with annual revenues of more than $13 billion, and three principal
subsidiaries: PSEG Power, Public Service Electric and Gas Company
(PSE&G) and PSEG Energy Holdings. PSEG's other renewable efforts include
installing 80 megawatts of solar power in New Jersey, exploring a
350-megawatt wind farm in the Atlantic Ocean, and promoting the next
generation of compressed air energy storage.
PSEG is the 2010 recipient of the Edison Electric Institute's Edison
Award, the electric industry's highest honor.
Want to know what's new at PSEG? Go to www.pseg.com/getnews and sign up
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SOURCE Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)
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