About 100 kilowatts of electricity is now being produced at the Coast Electric office in Kiln.
The facility has been generating power for about two weeks now, and is just a demonstration of what Coast Electric and South Mississippi Electric have planned for the future.
Similar solar power facilities were also constructed in Singing River, Delta, Coahoma and Southern Pine facilities, said Coast Electric Communications Specialist April Lollar.
The facility was built for several reasons, two of which include customers expressing interest in the technology, and new regulations have been set forth to ensure power companies are lowering their carbon output, said Chief Operating Officer for South Mississippi Electric Nathan Brown.
Made up of 378 different solar panels, at max capacity, the facility in Kiln is capable of generating 98 kilowatts, which is enough electricity to power between 4 to 15 homes, depending on usage, said Coast Electric Vice President Marketing and Communications Ron Barnes.
A larger facility is planned for Sumrall. The 52 megawatt facility is planned for construction in mid 2017, and would be built on 480 acres, Brown said.
Lollar said by offering solar, Coast Electric and South Mississippi Electric are diversifying their energy options. This helps keep customer’s power bills low by providing alternate methods of powering homes when the cost of one fuel source increases.
Currently, the power cooperative uses natural gas, coal, nuclear, hydroelectric and solar sources to produce electricity.