New solar farms look to shine bright in Southwestern PA

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and renewable energy developer Oriden celebrated the launch of three solar farms, two of which are in Fayette County, with a ceremonial flipping of the switch last week.

Pechin Solar Farm, located in Dunbar Township, welcomed local and state officials along with members of the community to celebrate its opening.

"We have people from all over Western Pennsylvania that have been involved in this project, and we believe that just like everywhere else in the United States, we deserve clean energy here," said Bill Miller, president and CEO of Ordien.

The event, headed by Mitsubishi, a Japanese multinational engineering company, and Ordien, a Pittsburgh-based solar development company, included tours of the farm. Representatives from the company spoke about fusion of technology and the potential economic prosperity solar energy could bring to Fayette County and surrounding areas.

Among the speakers was Laura Kuhns, executive director of Fay-Penn Economic Development Council, who spoke about the impact of solar farms in the community.

"We're the owners of this land, which is Dunbar Township business park, and we're thrilled to be part of this new clean and renewable energy source in Fayette County," Kuhns said. "Solar farms create job opportunities that contribute to energy independence, and they can, in fact, be compatible with farming."

The three farms, Pechin Solar, Grans Solar in Lake Lynn, and Listonburg Solar in Somerset county, are projected to provide 43 megawatts of power once completed. Pechin Solar and Gans Solar, both in Fayette County, will each provide nearly 14 megawatts of power The three solar farms create about 78,000 megawatts per hour of carbon-free electricity, enough to power about 7,500 homes per year. Grans Solar and Listonburg Solar are expected to be fully operational by the end of the year.

All three farms are former coal-mining sites.

Secretary of Community and Economic Development for Pennsylvania Rick Siger spoke on the importance of embracing solar technology.

"When we created our commonwealth's 10-year economic development strategy earlier this year...we recognized that energy was a key industry sector for Pennsylvania in two ways," he said. "It's crucial because it's an enabler for business to grow and thrive but it's also a distinctive feature here in Pennsylvania for companies that are looking to locate and expand here."

President and CEO of the American Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sector Takajiro Ishikawa said the company signed a 30-year-lease for the farm because it believes in the future of solar technology.

"That's how our firm flourished, by licensing (cutting edge) technology 100 years ago from America to Japan," Ishikawa said. "Now it's our turn to use our technology, our investments and our development capabilities to help American build a better life and a clean life at the same location."