Johnson Corner Solar Project now operational

Lightsource BP is the project owner and operator. All the energy from the project is being sold under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to Sunflower, a not-for-profit electric utility providing wholesale generation and transmission services to six member-owners serving in central and western Kansas. The National Renewables Cooperative Organization (NRCO) played a key role in helping Sunflower develop this important project for the public power community.

The project delivers 20 MW (AC) of clean and affordable on-peak electricity – enough to power the peak demand of over 4900 homes across Sunflower’s service territory and more than doubling the state’s utility-scale solar capacity, previously at 14.1 MW. In addition to providing low-cost, on-peak energy, the Johnson Corner Solar Project will reduce loading on a nearby transmission line that is approaching capacity. As a result, Sunflower’s members will save costs by deferring or ultimately cancelling the requirement for expensive infrastructure upgrades.

The project created more than 200 jobs during peak construction, with the workforce dispatched across 144 acres. Lightsource BP’s construction general contractor was Sterling and Wilson, who hired local subcontractors and recruited from the local labour pool. Precautions and guidelines provided by the CDC and public officials were followed on site, as well as implementation by Sterling and Wilson of additional strict measures to ensure the safety of the workers and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Read the article online at: https://www.energyglobal.com/solar/23042020/johnson-corner-solar-project-now-operational/