FreeState cooperative and Evergy begin construction on three Kansas solar arrays

Work began this week on three new solar projects for the FreeState Electric Cooperative in Kansas, thanks to collaboration with Evergy that will yield a combined 3.4 MW of renewable energy production.

As per a power purchase agreement (PPA), Evergy will build and operate the solar arrays, and allow FreeState to access their energy for all of their customers at a competitive rate. Each site will help the cooperative to manage peak demand during the hottest summer days, allowing it to purchase low-cost clean energy and reduce dependency on other, costlier resources. The arrangement was concluded after a competitive bidding process.

“We are excited about the opportunity to partner with our neighbors and bring cost-effective renewable energy through solar to FreeState. Our team is honored to help expand FreeState’s energy sources that will continue to serve their members,” John Bridson, Evergy’s vice president of generation, said.

Additionally, the arrays will be accompanied by upgraded and new infrastructure FreeState intends to invest in, so as to guarantee reliability takes no hits. For Evergy, this will also be a project that is par for the course, as the energy company produces about half its energy from carbon-free resources at this point, including approximately one-third from renewable energy sources.

“All our members can benefit from FreeState’s solar production, not just the members who choose to invest in their own solar,” Chris Parr, CEO of FreeState Electric Cooperative, said. “By being a member of FreeState, you are powered by a percentage of solar energy that is not only clean but also economical. As a distribution cooperative, FreeState purchases all the power used by our members, and now we can add solar into our energy purchases — and that means everyone benefits.”

FreeState is a not-for-profit organization, and the largest rural electric cooperative in Eastern Kansas. It supports more than 15,000 member-owners.