The Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA), in partnership with the Sylacauga Utilities Board, the City of Foley and Riviera Utilities, dedicated new 50-KW solar research projects in those cities on Sept. 18 and 24.
The AMEA/Sylacauga Utilities Board Solar Research Project is located at 304 W. Highland Avenue in Sylacauga. The AMEA/City of Foley/Riviera Utilities Solar Research Project is located at E. 100 Section Avenue (Alabama Highway 59) in Foley. The projects were completed in August.
“We are proud of these two new solar research projects as part of our effort to enhance renewable energy in our portfolio,” said Fred Clark, AMEA President & CEO. “We want to thank Sylacauga Utilities Board, the City of Foley and Riviera Utilities for their leadership and partnership in this endeavor.”
In conjunction with the solar research initiative, AMEA has been exploring and researching best practices in community solar parks in partnership with AMEA’s Member cities.
The AMEA Board of Directors approved a $1 million investment to construct one solar research project in each Member city for a total of 11 projects, Clark added. Similar-size projects have also been dedicated in Dothan, Luverne, Opelika and Tuskegee.
The Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce, as well as the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, conducted ribbon cuttings during both days’ activities.
AMEA, located in Montgomery, is the wholesale power provider for 11 public power utilities in Alabama, which serve some 350,000 customers in Alexander City, Dothan, Fairhope, Foley (Riviera Utilities), LaFayette, Lanett, Luverne, Opelika, Piedmont, Sylacauga and Tuskegee.