RIVESVILLE, W.Va (WDTV) – Mon Power hosted a tour today for their new solar power site in Rivesville.

The site produces 5.5 megawatts of renewable power. Officials say that just one megawatt can power an average of 173 homes, and they add that the facility is a win for customers.

“Customers who are interested in renewables it provides them the ability to subscribe to our energy credits, which are generated as part of the Rivesville site,” said Dough Hartman, Director of Energy Services, FirstEnergy.

The site is made possible by senate bill 583. Customers can opt into a renewable energy subscription to use the facility. Engineers believe having multiple energy sources available is important.

“You’re shorting yourself in the equation right, having multiple full sources, and multiple options for customers brings more industry into the area, and the reliability of the grid is improved,” said Kayla Pauvlinch, Mon Power Engineer.

FirstEnergy has five planned solar sites in the state. However, there are still some final issues to work out in Rivesville, which sits on a former landfill.

“The next step for this facility is obviously to get the grass growth all the way up, and then close the environmental permits then next year in the spring we will be bringing sheep here to maintain the grass, and after that it will be in full operation mode, moving forward,” said Pauvlinch.

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