Solar power in Kentucky
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File:120607-A-GN092-097 (7183592913).jpg training facility, Artemus]]
Solar power in Kentucky has been growing in recent years due to new technological improvements and a variety of regulatory actions and financial incentives, particularly a 30% federal tax credit, available through 2016, for any size project. Kentucky could generate 10% of all of the electricity used in the United States from land cleared from coal mining in the state. Covering just one-fifth with photovoltaics would supply all of the state's electricity.{{Cite web|url=https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/guest-post-can-coal-mines-become-solar-farms|title=Guest Post: Can Coal Mines Become Solar Farms?|website=www.greentechmedia.com}}
The Berea Solar Farm is a community solar farm, which opened with 60 235-watt solar panels (14.1 kW).{{Cite web|url=http://www.bereautilities.com/berea-solar-farm/|title=Berea Solar Farm News}} All of the available panels sold out in four days.[http://apps3.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/news/news_template.shtml?id=1691 Berea (KY) Solar Farm Sells Out]
A 2 MW single axis tracking solar farm began operation in 2011 in Bowling Green.[http://www.kyses.org/id15.html Solar installations in Kentucky] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528222512/http://www.kyses.org/id15.html |date=2012-05-28 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.lex18.com/news/bowling-green-to-have-6m-10-acre-solar-farm/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527004307/http://www.lex18.com/news/bowling-green-to-have-6m-10-acre-solar-farm|url-status=dead|title=Bowling Green To Have $6M, 10-Acre Solar Farm|archivedate=May 27, 2012}} As of 2011, the largest system on any farm in the state was the 100.32 kW array completed on November 1, 2011, in Fancy Farms.{{Cite web|url=http://eetenn.com/Articles/willet_farms_press_release.aspx|title=Willet Farm's Press Release}} The first hospital in the state to use solar power is Rockcastle Regional Hospital in Mt. Vernon, which installed a 60.9 kW array on the roof in November, 2011.{{Cite web|url=http://www.urbanfarmonline.com/urban-farm-news/2012/02/10/solar-powered-hospital.aspx|title=Kentucky's First Solar-Powered Hospital}}
In 2015, Fort Campbell installed a 1.9MW solar farm that provides 10% of the electricity used by the base.[http://clarksvillenow.com/local/fort-campbell-solar-array-project-completed/ Fort Campbell solar array completed], ClarksvilleNow, September 21, 2015
Kentucky's only maker of solar panels is Alternative Energy Kentucky.[http://www.kentucky.com/2011/10/10/1915085/tom-eblen-company-says-the-future.html Company says the future of solar panels in Ky. is bright]
Net metering
Kentucky has a net metering program that allows installations of up to 30 kW of on-site electrical generation to continuously roll over any excess generation to the next month. Participation is limited to 1% of utilities peak demand the prior year.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=KY07R&re=1&ee=0|title=Kentucky - Net Metering|access-date=2012-05-23}} The Kentucky Solar Energy Society is lobbying to increase the limit, noting that 17 states allow at least 2 MW capacity to use net metering.[http://kysolar.org/net-metering Net Metering] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120710034104/http://kysolar.org/net-metering |date=2012-07-10 }} Three states have no limit - Arizona, New Jersey, and Ohio.{{Cite web|url=https://energizeohio.osu.edu/search/site/blog%20net%20metering%20business%20retention%20tool|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527095030/http://energizeohio.osu.edu/blog/net-metering-business-retention-tool|url-status=dead|title=Site | Energize Ohio|archivedate=May 27, 2012|website=energizeohio.osu.edu}} Rhode Island has a 5 MW limit,{{Cite web|url=http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=RI01R&re=1&ee=0|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418010358/http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=RI01R&re=1&ee=0|url-status=dead|title=Rhode Island - Net Metering|archivedate=April 18, 2012}} and New Mexico has a limit of 80 MW.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=NM01R&re=1&ee=0|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418213339/http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=NM01R&re=1&ee=0|url-status=dead|title=New Mexico - Net Metering|archivedate=April 18, 2012}}
Insolation
Kentucky has an average of about 4.5 sun hours per day, similar to Germany which is at 4.8 sun hours per day.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kentuckyliving.com/|title=Kentucky Living | Explore Kentucky Culture Through Kentucky Living Magazine|first=Kentucky|last=Living|website=Kentucky Living}}
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Installed capacity
See also
{{Portal|Renewable energy|Energy|United States}}
References
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External links
- [https://archive.today/20130414204517/http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfm?getRE=1%3Fre=1&ee=0&spv=0&st=0&srp=1&state=KY Incentives and policies]
- [http://energy.ky.gov/renewable/Pages/SolarEnergy.aspx Kentucky Division of Renewable Energy - Solar Energy]
- [http://www.kyses.org/ Kentucky Solar Energy Society]
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