SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Lightsource bp Inaugurates Black Bear Solar

Lightsource bp and the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA) break ground on the 130MWdc/100 MWac Black Bear Solar project.

Share:

Subscribe for unlimited access to all energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

Your 1st year at 99 $*

then 199 $/year

SUBSCRIBE — 99 $ for the 1st year

Create a free account to read this article

*renews at 199$/year, cancel anytime before renewal.

Lightsource bp and the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA) break ground on the 130MWdc/100 MWac Black Bear Solar project. This is one of the largest solar farms in the state of Alabama.

Price stabilization

Lightsource bp announces that Black Bear Solar will power 11 AMEA member municipal utilities with solar energy. Black Bear Solar will provide energy under a 20-year power sales agreement. The project acts as insurance against price volatility in the natural gas market for AMEA.

With the Lightsource bp project, AMEA expects to save about $40 million over 20 years. Fred D. Clark, Jr, President and CEO of AMEA, states:

“MEA saves money with a local renewable resource that helps us provide reliable, cost-effective energy to our communities. With a fixed price contract for Black Bear Solar’s electricity for the next 20 years, we are building more long-term stability and diversity into our energy portfolio.”

Finally, the Black Bear Solar project will be operational in November 2022.

An economic project

280,000 solar panels will make up Lightsource bp’s Black Bear Solar project. The company uses ultra-low carbon photovoltaic panels manufactured by First Solar. In addition, 400 people, the majority of whom are local workers, are working on the implementation of this project.

The Montgomery County Commission and Chamber of Commerce are important partners for AMEA and Lightsource bp. Indeed, the Black Bear Solar project is stimulating local economic development and tax revenues. As a result, it will bring in over $7 million in property tax revenue to the county’s schools over the life of the project.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
India diversifies coking coal purchases, Australia retreats
Quebec allocates $1.5M to meet the demand for wind turbine technicians
Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies launch the first subsea CO2 injection in Norway
Guidehouse forecasts $8.1 billion revenues for modular reactors by 2034
AMIGO LNG signs 15-year deal with Macquarie for 0.6 MTPA of LNG
Ascent Solar and Star Catcher combine technologies for space-based solar energy
Ascent Solar Technologies has signed an agreement with Star Catcher Industries to enhance in-orbit power generation by combining lightweight photovoltaic technology with wireless energy transmission.
NextWave equips 529 MW of Cenergy solar projects with its PVPulse platform
NextWave Energy Monitoring integrated 529 megawatts of Cenergy solar projects into its PVPulse platform, including the largest 300 MW photovoltaic plant equipped with its monitoring system.
African solar panel imports surge 60% in one year
Solar panel imports into Africa reached 15,032 MW in one year, setting a record and marking an expansion beyond South Africa, according to the energy research organisation Ember.
Ferrovial invests $355mn in 250 MW solar plant in Texas
Ferrovial will launch a 250 MW solar plant in Texas for $355mn, expanding its US energy portfolio and creating around 300 jobs during the construction phase.
Philippines connect their first 4.99 MW floating solar power plant
The 4.99 MW floating solar power plant in Cebu supplies the Carmen Copper mining site, covering about 10% of its energy needs, with connection to the national grid now effective.
Axian and Sika invest €45 million in four solar power plants in Benin
Four photovoltaic plants totaling 50 MW will be built in Benin by Axian Energy and Sika Capital to strengthen the share of renewables in the country’s energy mix.
Qair secures USD 5.7 million financing for floating solar plant in Seychelles
Developer Qair secures a loan from the Facility for Energy Inclusion to build a 5.8 MWp floating photovoltaic solar plant in Providence Lagoon, the first utility-scale project of its kind in Seychelles.
Shikun & Binui commissions a 71 MW solar power plant in Romania
Israeli group Shikun & Binui begins commercial operation of its first photovoltaic park in Romania, a 71 MW facility located in Satu Mare County.
Canadian Solar posts record margin despite quarterly net loss
Canadian Solar reported a gross margin of 29.8% in Q2 2025, exceeding expectations despite a net loss, amid delayed project sales and asset impairments.
OSW raises USD 5.5 million to support its global solar market expansion
Australian distributor OSW secures strategic funding to accelerate U.S. growth and deploy its digital solar project management platform.
Solar will dominate more than half of the new power capacity planned in the United States in 2025
According to the Energy Information Administration, solar will represent the leading source of new U.S. power capacity this year.
Onyx and Corvias Complete 13 MW Solar Project at Fort Polk Military Site
Two 13 MW solar facilities have been completed at the Fort Polk military site in Louisiana by Onyx Renewables and Corvias as part of a partnership to secure the site’s long-term energy supply.
Photon Energy Group posts 7.5% growth despite declining EBITDA
Photon Energy Group reports quarterly revenue growth driven by solar technology trading, while profitability falls due to a weaker capacity market.
RWE secures two solar projects in North Rhine-Westphalia through a federal tender
Two photovoltaic projects led by RWE were selected in a federal tender, with commissioning scheduled by the end of 2026, subject to permits.
Eskom Opens Access to 291 MW of Solar Power for Large South African Consumers
The public utility Eskom launches a tender to sell long-term solar electricity via PPAs, directly targeting industrial players amid continued pressure on national energy security.
Scatec reports a 51% increase in revenue in the second quarter of 2025
The Norwegian group Scatec strengthens its position in emerging markets with a marked increase in revenue and its portfolio of projects under construction.
Masdar completes financing for the 2 GW Al Sadawi solar project in Saudi Arabia
The consortium led by Masdar has secured approximately $1.1 billion in financing to build one of the world’s largest solar power plants in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The EBRD grants USD 150 million to Enerjisa to strengthen the Turkish power grid
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is financing the modernization of Enerjisa Enerji’s electricity distribution network in the Toroslar region, affected by the 2023 earthquakes.
Vikram Solar secures a 250 MW order from Bondada Group in India
Vikram Solar will supply 250 MW of high-efficiency solar modules to the Bondada Group for a project in Maharashtra, with deployment scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2025–2026.
Meta partners with Central and Silicon Ranch for a 100 MW solar park
Meta secures its energy supply in South Carolina with a 100-megawatt solar project led by Silicon Ranch and Central Electric Power Cooperative. The site will support the group's future data center in Graniteville.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.

or

Go unlimited with our annual offer: $99 for the 1styear year, then $ 199/year.

SUBSCRIBE - €99