(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) ― Thanks to customers’ interest and ongoing support, LG&E and KU’s Solar Share facility in Simpsonville is more than halfway subscribed and the utilities are now constructing the fifth section. The new addition will total more than 1,100 solar panels when complete and produce as much as 500-kilowatts of energy. Eight 500-kilowatt Solar Share sections are planned for the facility, for a total of 4 megawatts.
Program subscribers ― more than 500 residential and business customers, including Louisville staple Muth’s Candies ― will earn credits on their monthly bills based on their subscription level once the section is fully constructed and producing energy.
Since 2019, the facility has produced more than 4 million kilowatt-hours of energy that translate to energy bill credits for subscribers. More than 2,800 customers currently participate in Solar Share. Anyone interested can watch in near-real time as the facility generates power through the utilities’ Solar Share live online dashboard.
“Our portfolio of tools and programs, like Solar Share, make it possible for customers to support renewable energy sources right here in Kentucky and the region,” said LG&E and KU Vice President-Customer Services Eileen Saunders. “We’re providing information in near-real time, simplifying the processes and partnering with customers who are interested in finding cost-effective solutions to achieve their sustainability goals.”
Supporting customers’ renewable energy goals through offerings like Solar Share is among the ways LG&E and KU are empowering a sustainable energy future for Kentucky. The utilities are part of a commitment by parent company PPL to achieve net-zero carbon (CO2) emissions by 2050, with interim reduction targets of 70% from 2010 levels by 2035, and 80% by 2040. Reducing carbon emissions over time, ongoing system investments, advancing access to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, and propelling new research and technologies are all part of the company’s comprehensive, strategic transition.
About Solar Share
LG&E and KU’s primary contract partner to construct the fifth section of the Solar Share facility is Solar Alliance Energy Inc. LG&E and KU will construct the remaining three sections planned for the site once they are fully subscribed.
The subscription-based program is a cost-effective option available to LG&E and KU’s residential, business and industrial customers who want to support solar energy for as little as 20 cents per day. By participating in the program, customers get the benefits from solar energy without having to pay the added up-front and long-term expenses that come when installing and maintaining a private solar system.
Helping customers achieve sustainability goals
Customers who want to support 100% renewable energy can use LG&E and KU’s Renewable Choice Calculator to explore available local and regional options. By inserting a few details — including customer type and average monthly bill — the calculator uses the utilities’ Solar Share and Green Energy programs to provide a solution for most customers equal to 100% of their power consumption for less than $1 per day or about 5% more on their monthly energy bill. Muth’s Candies was the first commercial business to take advantage of the tool and sign up to support 100% renewables.
LG&E and KU’s Green Tariff enhances renewable options for residential, commercial and industrial customers who have renewable energy goals. Approved by the KPSC in 2019, the Green Tariff rolls the Green Energy and Business Solar programs under one tariff and provides a third option — the Renewable Power Agreement — for large customers interested in purchasing renewable power.
Visit lge-ku.com/sustainability to learn about LG&E and KU’s renewable energy offerings for customers and ongoing efforts to empower a more sustainable energy future for Kentucky.
###
Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies, are regulated utilities that serve more than 1.3 million customers and have consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. LG&E serves 333,000 natural gas and 429,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties. KU serves 566,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia. More information is available at www.lge-ku.com and www.pplweb.com.
