Suspected lightning strike paralyzes Shelby solar plant

SHELBY – A suspected lightning strike has forced Shelby’s solar array to be shut down for unscheduled maintenance.

The incident was reported at the city’s Utilities and Streets Committee meeting on June 14.

Councilman at Large Steven McLaughlin shared information during his report at the June 17 Shelby City Council meeting.

“The solar plant is currently out of service for unscheduled maintenance,” he said. “The plant’s transformer was probably damaged by a lightning strike.”

McLaughlin said AEP OnSite Partners owns, operates and maintains the solar field. The solar array consists of nearly 7,000 370-watt photovoltaic panels that convert light into energy and provide benefits during peak demand events.

AEP is looking for a replacement transformer, with the estimated cost being around $100,000, according to the council, who added that the lead time for the project is about 12 weeks.

“We expect to be back in operation by the end of September,” McLaughlin said.

In addition, Shelby Mayor Steve Schag told council members that the solar plant’s new transformer would be paid for by AEP OnSite Partners, not the city.

Solar system covers 4 percent of the city’s electricity needs

According to McLaughlin, the 14-acre solar power field provides Shelby with about four percent of the city’s electricity needs.

Since it went online, the solar plant has generated $492,000 in transmission and capacity savings. McLaughlin said the savings began in 2021 and average about $123,000 per year.

“It (solar) energy is the cheapest form of energy in the city,” he said.

Construction of the State Street solar field began in late September 2019.

First launched on 28 December2019, the system was officially launched the following day. The panels are programmed to rotate throughout the day so that they are always facing the sun.

The amount of energy produced by the panels varies depending on the available sunlight, but according to previous studies, some electricity is generated even on cloudy days. Richland Spring Reporting.

Second phase of renewable energy projects

In December 2023, the Shelby City Council passed a series of legislation to move forward with the second phase of the city’s behind-the-meter renewable energy projects.

Three resolutions passed unanimously and resulted in the city signing an agreement with AEP OnSite Partners for a 10-megawatt battery storage system.

John Ensman, the city’s utilities director, said in December the project would complement Shelby’s solar plant.

“Both projects will work together to meet Shelby’s energy needs and, most importantly, reduce the city’s power transmission and capacity costs,” Ensman said. said before Richland Spring.

He said in December that the expected date for commercial commissioning of the battery energy system is January 2025.