Solar Array - August 2023 Quarterly Newsletter Article

[As Originally Printed in the August 2023 Quarterly Newsletter]

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 the formal groundbreaking is planned for October 12th, 2023. Energization of the array is planned for the Spring of 2024. 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. The parcel being utilized is part of the City's "Northland" portfolio, which includes roughly 300 acres of land given to the community by the State of Kansas to use for large-scale economic development.