US renewables developer Invenergy has commenced commercial operations at its 160MW Southern Oak photovoltaic plant in Georgia.
The facility, in Mitchell County, is the developer’s largest solar farm and the hundredth project it has brought online. Construction began in 2018.
The PV plant has a 30-year contract to sell 100% of the energy generated to Georgia Power through the Renewable Energy Development Initiative programme.
Invenergy executive vice president and chief development officer Bryan Schueler said: “The start of commercial operations at Southern Oak is an incredible achievement for Invenergy as we celebrate not only our largest solar project, but also our hundredth project to come online.
“We are proud to have delivered on our promise to invest in the local economy and create jobs while leveraging our expertise to support Georgia Power in its efforts to increase solar development in the state.”
Mitchell County Development Authority executive director Paige Gilchrist said: “Southern Oak has been a huge win for our community, bringing both short- and long-term economic investment to Mitchell County.
“Construction of the project has been a huge boost to local retailers, and the project will provide tax dollars for many years to come.”
Southern Oak is Invenergy’s second project to deploy bifacial solar panels, following their use on the 74MW Wilkinson solar farm in North Carolina, which began commercial operations near the end of 2019.
The modules increase efficiency by capturing more solar within the same project footprint.
RES constructed Southern Oak, its first for Invenergy.