If you live in West Virginia and are interested in advancing renewable energy in the state, Mon Power and Potomac Edison are now accepting customer commitments to purchase solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) from five utility-scale solar facilities planned for the companies’ West Virginia service territory. According to Doug Hartman, purchasing these credits is an opportunity for residents to invest in renewable energy without incurring the cost of installing expensive equipment.

“A lot of people would like to take advantage of solar energy technology but procuring it on your own can be cost prohibitive,” said Doug, director, Generation Services. “Subscribing to our West Virginia Solar Program is an economical way to tap into the power of the sun without installing a rooftop solar system on your home.”

Choose Your Own Subscription Level

The solar program offers a variety of SREC subscription levels and term lengths with pricing options that can fit into your budget. Subscription levels include $2 per month for 50 kilowatt hours (kWh), $4 per month for 100 kWh, and $8 per month for 200 kWh, with additional options available. (Customers who commit to the program now are not expected to begin incurring charges until early 2024.)

When Mon Power and Potomac Edison have obtained commitments for 85% of the renewable energy credits generated by a solar facility, the companies will seek final approval from the Public Service Commission of West Virginia for a ratepayer surcharge to cover the balance of the project costs and begin full-scale construction.

Doug added that participating in the program can help benefit the company and support the future of The Mountain State. “Investing in renewable energy is another way we can embrace FirstEnergy’s core value of Stewardship while helping to create jobs, attract new business and encourage economic development across West Virginia,” he said.

Mon Power will build, own and operate the five solar facilities, which together will total 50 megawatts (MW) of renewable solar generation. Each facility will be located on property owned by Mon Power or its affiliates, including:

• Berkeley County – Reclaimed ash disposal site at the former R. Paul Smith Power Station (26 acres)
• Hancock County – Site is located adjacent to a Mon Power substation (51 acres)
• Marion County – Retired ash disposal site at the former Rivesville Power Station (27 acres)
• Monongalia County – Site is located adjacent to Fort Martin Power Station (95 acres)
• Tucker County – Reclaimed strip mine property (44 acres)

“We are excited to repurpose these properties as we work to build a brighter and more sustainable future in West Virginia,” said Jim Myers, president, West Virginia Operations. “Adding renewable generation also encourages economic development in the state, as a growing number of companies are requiring that a portion of the electricity they purchase is generated by renewable sources. I encourage employees to join me in subscribing to the solar energy program as we strive to protect the environment and support renewable energy in the communities we serve.”

To subscribe or find out more about the solar program, Mon Power and Potomac Edison customers in West Virginia can visit www.firstenergycorp.com/WVSolar or call 1-800-505-7283.