MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WAFF) – Madison County commissioners approved a lease with solar developer Gemini for a new solar farm in Triana.
The 238-acre solar farm will be built by the same developer that built the solar farm near the Toyota plant. A spokesperson said the solar farm could curb the need for any immediate rate increases.
Huntsville Utilities CEO Wes Kelley said the project will allow the utility to purchase energy much cheaper than TVA rates and could keep costs from rising.
“Now that the lease deal has been approved, we can move forward with the developer on negotiating the business terms for the purchase of the electrons being generated by this solar farm. Clearly, we’re not going to be interested in that deal if we can’t buy that power less than what we’re currently paying TVA. Anytime we lower our cost, it reduces pressure on customers’ rates and puts off future rate actions.“
The solar farm is expected to produce 40 megawatts of clean energy.
The deal still needs approval from the Huntsville City Council on Thursday.
If approved by the city council, Kelly expects planning to begin as soon as possible.
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