West Virginia PSC OKs major solar energy project in Mason County

The production array will consist of 226,356 solar panels. The energy produced will be sent through an existing power line to Appalachian Power Company and the regional electrical network of which West Virginia is a member, according to the application. In making its application, New Haven PV I stressed the economic development advantages for the county at the mouth of the Kanawha River, including a company investment of $97 million and the creation of 319 construction jobs.

“The commission recognizes the importance of all forms of energy development in West Virginia,” PSC Chairman Charlotte Lane said. “We welcome this new project.”

New Haven PV I LLC is a subsidiary of Kansas-based Tyr Energy Development (TED) Renewables.

“Given the increasing interest among companies to be conscious of environmental footprint and ecological impact, having a renewable energy source for its operations is getting more emphasis when choosing a destination for factories, data centers and/or other facilities,” said Elias M. Toshiro, project development manager at TED Renewables, previously. “Not only does New Haven Solar have an indirect impact on bringing more business and companies to West Virginia, … the project is estimated to have numerous direct positive impacts both locally and statewide.”

Also, “… Public officials and business leaders had noted that many Fortune 500 and other businesses now require that a state have a good supply of renewable energy generation before they will consider investing in or locating a project or facility in the state,” New Haven Solar wrote in its application to the PSC. “By enhancing the supply of renewable energy generation in West Virginia, the project can reasonably be expected to enhance regional and statewide economic development for years to come.”