LG&E and KU to begin accepting enrollment into Solar Share Program

Both the Louisville Gas and Electric Company and the Kentucky Utility Company will begin accepting enrollees into their new Solar Share Program after receiving  approval from the Kentucky Public Service Commission.

John P. Malloy, vice president of customer services, said, “We’re excited to offer this new service to our customers interested in supporting more local solar in Kentucky.” Residents (particularly renters), business owners, and industrial customers across the service territories will have the ability to share local solar energy.

LG&E and KU will construct the regional Solar Share Facility near Conner Station Road in Shelby County, along Interstate 64. The facility will be built in 500-kilowatt sections based on how many customers are interested in participating in the program.

The area is large enough to house a four-megawatt solar field; construction will begin when the first 500-kilowatt section is 100 percent subscribed. Each subsequent 500-kilowatt section will also require a 100 percent subscription before the section is added. This facility will generate energy that helps power the community, enabling customers to receive credits on their monthly utility bill  for the amount of solar energy their subscription produces.

Customers have numerous subscription options available. These include, on a first-come basis, shares in 250 watt increments. Customers have the ability to choose one or more share and will be required to pay a $40 subscription fee and a monthly fee of $6.29 per share.

A typical residential household uses around 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each month. The solar program will lessen the amount of energy customer’s use through solar share energy generation. Although the weather conditions and available light are determining factors, each share of solar is estimated to produce between 18 and 38 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month.