Pennsylvania solar project starts commercial operations

Great Cove Solar, a massive power generation project owned and operated by global energy company AES Corporation, recently began commercial operations at its two solar facilities in Franklin and Fulton counties, Pa.

As the largest solar project in Pennsylvania, Great Cove Solar includes more than 485,000 panels and has the capacity to generate 220 megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough to power approximately 38,000 homes, according to AES Corporation.

The project provides power to the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which operates hospitals and other medical facilities throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to Mill Creek Renewables (MCR), which offers engineering, procurement, and construction services for solar PV, solar plus battery storage, and repower services across the United States.

“We extend our gratitude to our client, AES, for their partnership on this project and commend our team for this significant milestone,” MCR said in a recent statement. “We look forward to future collaborations with businesses that share our dedication to renewable energy.”

The University of Pennsylvania deal stemmed from a Power Purchase Agreement the university signed in February 2020 with Community Energy, which the AES Corporation purchased. Construction on the project started in April 2022.

“At AES, we understand that our success as a company is only as strong as our partnerships with the communities where we operate,” AES says on its project website. “That’s why we partner with communities, customers, state agencies, higher education, elected officials, and other key stakeholders to understand how we can best work together to support sustainable social and economic development that complements the local geography and unique culture, to improve lives and build stronger communities.”

AES Corporation said that 400,000 megawatt hours of carbon-free electricity will be generated each year, improving air quality and reducing CO2 emissions.

Additionally, the company expects $17 million to be generated in new tax revenue for Franklin and Fulton counties over the life of the project, with local schools receiving upwards of 70 percent of the tax revenue.

At the end of the project’s life, a decommissioning plan allows for the land to return to agricultural use or other uses consistent with land-use policies at the time, AES said.

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