Solar Power

American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) continues its role as a regional leader in developing and deploying renewable generation*.

AMP Solar Phase II

In March 2016, AMP entered into a joint development agreement with DG AMP Solar, a wholly owned subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, for the development, construction and operation of up to 80 megawatts (MW) or more of new solar electric generation facilities. The two organizations executed a solar power purchase agreement (PPA).

Through the DG AMP Solar subsidiary, NextEra builds, owns and operates the solar sites and AMP purchases all output from the solar generation. AMP sells the output to 22 participating Members using a take and pay contract.

The systems each consist of solar photovoltaic generating facilities utilizing polycrystalline photovoltaic modules and central inverters. The modules are mounted on either a fixed tilt or tracker racking system. Each system is interconnected to the electric distribution system of a host participant and is located at a site located on land within or near the geographic footprint of such host participant.  

There are 16 systems with a rated capacity of approximately 58.325 MW located in Delaware, Michigan, Ohio and Virginia.  The systems have a rated capacity ranging from 0.25 MW to 20 MW.  The first of the systems, located in Bowling Green, entered commercial operation in January 2017 (see more on the Bowling Green Solar Facility below). A list of the systems and the performance of such relative to P90 are set forth below in the following tables:

Systems

Historical Performance of Systems

The development of solar facilities further diversifies AMP’s Member power supply portfolio, which includes natural gas, advanced coal, hydro, wind and landfill gas, as well as wholesale market purchases.

* Note that AMP, on behalf of its Members, sells all or a portion of the renewable energy certificates created by its renewable energy projects, power purchase agreements and joint ventures to help reduce its wholesale power costs.

Bowling Green Solar Facility

The Bowling Green Solar Facility, one of the largest solar installations in the state of Ohio, is a 20 MW installation located in Bowling Green and is part of Solar Phase II. 

NextEra Energy and their EPC contractor, Blattner Energy, began construction in July 2016 and achieved mechanical completion in December 2016. The site achieved commercial operation in January 2017. 

The Bowling Green Solar Facility consists of 85,680 modules, 20-1 MW inverters, 10-34.5 kV transformers and spans 165.09 acres. The site also utilizes a tracker system that will help in maximizing production. A substation was also built on site that steps the voltage up from 34.5 kV to 69 kV.

AMP Solar Phase I: Napoleon Solar Facility

Working in partnership with its Member communities, AMP developed and owns the Napoleon Solar Facility, a 3.54 MW (AC) solar project located in Napoleon, Ohio. The facility is connected to the City of Napoleon’s electric system, providing transmission savings. The site produced its first megawatt-hours of sunshine-driven power in August 2012.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held September 21, 2012. Pictured from left are David Mustine, JobsOhio general manager; Elizabeth Bostdorff, district representative for Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green); State Rep. Lynn Wachtmann (R-Napoleon); State Sen. Cliff Hite (R-Findlay); Napoleon Mayor Ron Behm; Michael Peck, Isofoton North America chairman; Marc Gerken, AMP president/CEO; and Craig Butler, assistant policy director for the office of Gov. John Kasich.