Solar Array - April 2023 Quarterly Newsletter Article

[As Printed in the April 2023 Quarterly Newsletter]

SOLAR ARRAY COMING SOON

The City of Osawatomie and Evergy are excited to be breaking ground soon on a 5MW solar array in the City's Northland! Located north of Osawatomie State Hospital, at the intersection of 335th and Osawatomie Road, this new facility will be a welcome addition to the City's electric generation portfolio. The array will cover roughly 40% of the 76-acre parcel owned by the City of Osawatomie and is anticipated to break ground sometime this September or October with energization of the array planned for the Spring of 2024. To celebrate this regionally impactful development, the City and Evergy are teaming up to host a great groundbreaking ceremony and can't wait to welcome community members, project partners, and state representatives this fall.

City Council approved through Resolution a Power Purchase Agreement with Evergy, which will allow the City of Osawatomie to purchase electricity generated by the array. This sustainable, cost-efficient option will increase the City's energy portfolio and reduce our reliance on diesel and natural gas generators during emergencies, peak seasons, and other irregular events.

While the City is under no obligation to purchase the array at any point in time, changes in the Inflation Reduction Act mean the City now has the option to buy the array after three years, down from the original seven-year threshold.