Avangrid plans solar power installation near Garrett

Lina PortmanMay 29, 2024

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GARRETT ― Avangrid is developing a solar energy facility called Summit Solar that will be co-located in the southwest of the borough with its Casselman wind power plant, which was built and commissioned in 2007.

Avangrid is a sustainable energy company with a presence in 24 states and $44 billion in assets, according to the website https://www.avangrid.com/.

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In Garrett, Summit Solar has planned capacity of up to 100 megawatts, or enough energy to power about 25,000 Pennsylvania homes, Caleb Cates, Avangrid's senior director, said in an email. The facility will revitalize some properties previously mined for coal and minerals, providing a new, low-impact alternative to otherwise degraded and vacant land, he said.

“The project has been and is still under development. We cannot share specific (start) dates at this time,” he said. “Construction could be ready to start by mid-2025 or 2026.”

Avangrid also plans to create new jobs in the energy sector and support local businesses, according to Cates.

Construction of the project is expected to support up to 300 jobs and could take between 12 and 18 months, he said.

“These 300 jobs would be at the peak of construction. Long-term operations will create several permanent jobs at the site,” Cates said. “There are many roles associated with building a solar farm – from general laborers to site supervisors – including the main PV system installer, various electrician positions and inspectors for the various components and systems.

“Each of these roles has its own set of certificates and/or requirements that must be met to perform the job. A great resource for those interested in this type of work should check out the IREC Home website | Solar Career Map (irecsolarcareermap.org ). Additionally, the PA Laborers' Training Center offers solar energy courses to its members ― Pennsylvania Laborers' Training Center |

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At the end of the project's life, the project will be removed from the property, he said.

Solar energy

Solar energy projects generate substantial revenue for local economies without the need for additional services from the municipality or county, according to Cates. Preliminary calculations indicate that Summit Solar could generate millions of dollars in tax revenue and economic development benefits over the life of the project.

Lina Portman

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