Officials celebrate fifth section of LG&E and KU’s Solar Share Facility becoming operational
(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) — Thanks to customers’ interest and ongoing support, LG&E and KU’s Solar Share facility in Shelby County has grown again. Spanning more than 6,000 solar panels, it’s now producing more than 2 megawatts of energy after the fifth section became operational this month.
“Our portfolio of sustainable tools and programs, like Solar Share, makes it possible for customers to support local and regional renewable energy on their own terms by personalizing their participation levels to match their interests,” said LG&E and KU President John Crockett. “Together with our customers, we’re empowering a cleaner, sustainable energy future for Kentucky.”
Subscribers to Section 5 ― around 500 residential and business customers ― will earn credits on their monthly bills based on their subscription level.
With parent company PPL, LG&E and KU have committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and accelerated interim emission reduction targets to 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.
Since 2019, the Solar Share facility, which straddles both utilities’ service territories along Interstate 64 in Shelby County, has produced more than 5.4 million kilowatt-hours of energy that translated to bill credits for program subscribers. More than 2,800 customers are currently participating in Solar Share. Anyone interested can watch in near-real time as the facility generates power through the utilities’ Solar Share live online dashboard.
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. Eight 500-kilowatt Solar Share sections are planned for the facility, for a total of 4 megawatts. 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 Solar Share facility in Shelby County has grown again. Spanning more than 6,000 solar panels, it’s now producing more than 2 megawatts of energy after the fifth section became fully operational this month.
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.
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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.
