KCP&L opens solar power plant in Greenwood
Kansas City Power & Light is expanding in the solar energy market.
The utility company on Tuesday opened its first commercial-scale solar power facility. It’s expected to generate 4,700 megawatt-hours of energy annually, which is enough to power 440 homes.
“Solar technology is constantly getting better and more efficient,” Chuck Caisley, KCP&L’s vice president for marketing and public affairs, said in a statement. “That translates into a more cost-effective renewable energy for our customers. We are investing in solar because of its relatively quick construction and our commitment to a sustainable future.”
The solar facility will have 11,500 solar panels and was built on 12 acres of KCP&L’s Greenwood Energy Center in Greenwood, 30 miles south of Kansas City.
KCP&L teamed with Sungevity to build the plant. It’s the latest example of the utility’s push toward renewable energy. KCP&L recently announced an additional 500 megawatts of wind power and new energy efficiency programs for its Missouri customers.
The plant was announced in November. Caisley said at the time that while the plant was small, it would provide beneficial experience and training.
Katherine Knott: 816-234-4097, @knott_katherine
This story was originally published July 12, 2016 at 6:28 PM with the headline "KCP&L opens solar power plant in Greenwood."