FirstEnergy launches new solar site in West Virginia

FirstEnergy Corp. begins construction of a solar power plant in Rivesville, West Virginia, to meet the state's energy needs and stimulate economic growth.
FirstEnergy solaire Virginie-Occidentale

Partagez:

FirstEnergy Corp. begins construction of its second solar site in West Virginia, designed to meet the state’s energy needs. The Rivesville site, located in Marion County, will cover approximately 27 acres. Once operational, it will generate up to 5.5 megawatts of renewable energy. This project is part of the accelerating development of solar energy in the United States.

Renaissance of a brownfield site

The land chosen for the Rivesville solar project is marked by its industrial past, having been home to the Rivesville Power Station until 2012. The transformation of a former coal ash storage site into a solar power plant illustrates a commitment to environmental rehabilitation. This choice demonstrates FirstEnergy’s commitment to converting derelict sites into sources of clean energy. Jim Myers, President of FirstEnergy’s West Virginia operations, emphasizes his pride in revitalizing brownfields.

A green economic boost

FirstEnergy believes that the energy generated by its solar sites will stimulate local economic development. Growing corporate demand for renewable energy underscores the importance of such projects to the state’s economic attractiveness. The initiative meets a dual requirement: to provide clean energy and to support the local economy by attracting eco-responsible businesses. The Rivesville site plays a key role in this sustainable development strategy.

Local construction and American equipment

Construction of the Rivesville solar site is entrusted to local workers, in line with the approach adopted for the first Fort Martin solar site. This approach supports the local economy not only by creating jobs, but also by using materials made in the USA. Solar panels, mounting systems and electrical equipment are sourced from American manufacturers. FirstEnergy thus underlines its commitment to supporting domestic industry.

The Rivesville and Berkeley County sites are just the first in a program to establish five solar sites across the state. Collectively, these sites are expected to generate 50 megawatts of renewable energy. This major project reflects FirstEnergy’s ambition to make a significant contribution to renewable energy production in West Virginia. Completion of these projects, scheduled for the end of 2024, will mark an important step towards achieving the state’s energy objectives.

Générale du Solaire has inaugurated in Leutenheim, Bas-Rhin, a floating photovoltaic plant of approximately 20 MWc installed on a former gravel pit, marking the region's first large-scale project supported by successful local participatory funding.
Plenitude and Modine have signed an agreement to build a photovoltaic plant with an installed capacity of 1.585 MWp in Pocenia, designed to power thermal and refrigeration equipment at Modine’s Italian industrial site, without initial investment.
Bangladesh’s interim government has ordered mandatory deployment of solar systems on public building rooftops to reduce reliance on costly fossil fuel imports amid a fragile economic backdrop.
The Energy Progress Report 2025 shows an improvement in global electricity access to 92%, but highlights that 666 million people remain without electricity, particularly due to insufficient international funding for rural areas.
Estimated at $384.4mn in 2025, the global photovoltaic panel recycling market is expected to grow annually by 7.4%, reaching $548mn in 2030, driven by the rapidly increasing number of installations reaching end-of-life.
Estimated at $613.57bn in 2025, the global photovoltaic market is expected to reach $968.32bn by 2030, driven by declining costs and growing demand from residential and utility sectors, according to a MarketsandMarkets analysis published on June 26.
Sasol International Chemicals concludes a virtual contract with Akuo to supply half of the electrical needs for its Lake Charles industrial complex in the United States, via a solar plant scheduled for 2026.
Eurowind Energy initiates a €174.8mn investment to build a 220 MW solar park in Vișina, Romania, capable of supplying around 150,000 households annually.
CleanCapital expands its portfolio by acquiring solar and energy storage assets totaling 27 MW in California and Massachusetts from Pacifico Energy to meet growing demand in the United States.
BrightNight and Cordelio Power commission a major 300 megawatt solar project in Arizona, attracting significant investments from JPMorgan and Capital One, with estimated local economic benefits of $180mn.
Austria is launching an unprecedented 20% bonus on photovoltaic subsidies to promote equipment manufactured in Europe, with a total envelope of €20 million dedicated to solar installations and energy storage systems.
Chinese manufacturer Longi will invest alongside Pertamina NRE in a 1.6 GW site at Deltamas, aiming to strengthen the local photovoltaic chain and capture demand expected under Indonesia’s power plan.
OMV Petrom acquires 50% of the 400 MW Gabare photovoltaic project near Sofia, in partnership with Enery, in a deal valued at approximately €200 million including a potential energy storage solution.
Driven by strong solar adoption, the global SCADA systems market for renewable energy is expected to reach $3.56bn by 2030, with an estimated average annual growth rate of 12.7%, according to MarketsandMarkets.
RATP and Urbasolar officially inaugurated the Colombier photovoltaic power plant, the first large-scale solar installation operated by the Parisian public transport operator, set to produce 14 GWh of electricity per year.
Danish developer European Energy finalises financing deal exceeding €70m for constructing two Australian solar plants, totalling 137 megawatts of installed capacity on the local electricity market.
The African Development Bank financially supports Zambia with $26.5 million for the 32 MW Ilute solar project, structured to avoid reliance on sovereign guarantees.
Emeren Group Ltd announces a definitive merger agreement with Shurya Vitra Ltd, providing for the repurchase of shares at $0.20 each, aiming to transform the company into a private entity by the end of September 2025.
The global solar tracker market is expected to reach $29.31bn by 2030, driven by a compound annual growth rate of 26.2%, notably supported by large-scale photovoltaic projects and recent technological advances, a new study reports.
A report from the think tank Ember reveals that falling battery prices now make year-round solar power generation economically viable in the world's sunniest regions.