New Solar Site Generating Energy in Berkeley County, West Virginia

Rhea-AI Summary

FirstEnergy subsidiaries Mon Power and Potomac Edison have completed their third utility-scale solar site in West Virginia, located in Berkeley County's Marlowe area. The 36-acre facility features over 17,000 solar panels generating up to 5.75 megawatts of renewable power. Built on a former ash landfill site, the project employed 54 local union workers and used U.S.-made components. This installation is part of a larger initiative authorized by West Virginia legislation allowing electric companies to own and operate up to 200 megawatts of solar generation. The companies have now achieved 30 megawatts of solar capacity across three sites, with plans to develop two more projects to reach 50 megawatts total. The program generates solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) available for purchase at 4 cents per kilowatt hour above normal rates.

Positive

• Successful completion of third solar site adding 5.75 megawatts of renewable power capacity
• Productive repurposing of former ash landfill site for renewable energy generation
• Creation of local jobs with 54 union workers employed during construction
• Use of U.S.-manufactured components supporting domestic industry
• Progress in meeting state's renewable energy goals with 30 MW of total solar capacity achieved

Negative

• Additional cost of 4 cents per kilowatt hour for customers participating in the SREC program

Insights

Energy Infrastructure Analyst

FirstEnergy advances renewable goals with third solar site completion, positioning strategically in the evolving energy landscape.

FirstEnergy's subsidiaries have marked a significant milestone with the completion of their third utility-scale solar installation in West Virginia, generating 5.75 megawatts of renewable power. This Marlowe site repurposes a former ash landfill into productive energy infrastructure, demonstrating effective land reclamation while advancing the company's renewable portfolio.

The project brings FirstEnergy's total solar capacity in West Virginia to 30 megawatts, representing 60% progress toward their authorized 50-megawatt solar development plan. This systematic buildout aligns with West Virginia's 2020 legislation permitting utilities to develop up to 200 megawatts of solar generation.

From an infrastructure perspective, several elements stand out:

• The deployment of 17,000+ solar panels on a 36-acre brownfield site represents efficient land use
• Using domestic manufacturing for panels, racking systems, and electrical equipment strengthens supply chain resilience
• Employment of 54 local union workers supports regional economic development
• The creation of marketable Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) establishes a revenue stream while supporting corporate sustainability goals

The strategic placement along Interstate 81 and the Potomac River leverages existing transmission infrastructure. This brownfield redevelopment model provides a blueprint for converting environmentally compromised properties into productive renewable assets, addressing both legacy environmental challenges and future energy needs simultaneously.

FirstEnergy's methodical approach to reaching their 50-megawatt solar target demonstrates measured capital allocation while responding to growing customer demand for renewable options. The subscription model for SRECs at $0.04/kWh creates a predictable revenue stream that enhances project economics while serving corporate and residential customers seeking to meet sustainability targets.

Mon Power and Potomac Edison complete 36-acre solar project in Marlowe

FAIRMONT, W.Va., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mon Power and Potomac Edison, subsidiaries of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), have completed their third utility-scale solar site in West Virginia to help meet the state's electricity needs. More than 17,000 solar panels are now producing up to 5.75 megawatts of renewable power at the Marlowe site in Berkeley County. One megawatt of solar energy powers a national average of 173 homes, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

Aerial photos and drone video footage of the Marlowe solar site are available to view or download on FirstEnergy's Flickr page.

The new solar facility is situated on approximately 36 acres of company-owned property along Interstate 81 and the Potomac River. The site was previously an ash landfill for the former R. Paul Smith Power Station. In 2022, after harvesting more than three million tons of ash for use in cement manufacturing, FirstEnergy successfully completed the closure of the landfill, paving the way for its redevelopment as part of the companies' solar program.

Mon Power and Potomac Edison used 54 local union workers for construction at the site. Additionally, the solar panels, racking system steel and supporting electrical equipment were made in the United States.

Dan Rossero, Vice President of FirstEnergy's West Virginia Generation: "Our solar projects create construction jobs, support U.S. manufacturing and help us accommodate increased demand for electricity. We are committed to ensuring that our customers have the right mix and amount of generation to support their everyday needs, and our solar facilities are a growing part of that."

The companies' West Virginia solar program supports a 2020 bill passed by the West Virginia Legislature that authorizes electric companies to own and operate up to 200 megawatts of solar generation facilities to help meet the state's electricity needs. The program involves the siting and development of solar projects on brownfield or impacted industrial properties while encouraging economic development in West Virginia, as a number of companies require that a portion of the electricity they purchase be generated by renewable sources.

Mon Power and Potomac Edison plan to develop a total of five solar projects that will comprise 50 megawatts of solar generation. The companies completed their first solar project at Fort Martin Power Station (18.9 megawatts) in early 2024, and their Rivesville solar site (5.5 megawatts) came online last fall. In total, the companies now have 30 megawatts of solar capacity.

Combined, the five projects will create more than 87,000 solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) available for purchase by customers who support renewable energy in West Virginia. SRECs are certificates that represent the environmental attributes of solar power and prove solar energy was generated on the purchasers' behalf. For every megawatt hour of solar renewable electricity generated, one SREC is produced.

Since the inception of the solar program, Mon Power and Potomac Edison have enrolled residential customers as well as large commercial and institutional customers, including the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in Morgantown and the town of Harpers Ferry. The cost to purchase SRECs through the program is 4 cents per kilowatt hour in addition to normal rates. To subscribe or find out more about the solar program, Mon Power and Potomac Edison customers in West Virginia can visit firstenergycorp.com/WVsolar or call 1-800-505-7283.

Mon Power serves about 395,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties. Follow Mon Power at mon-power.com, on X @MonPowerWV, and on Facebook at facebook.com/MonPowerWV.

Potomac Edison serves about 285,000 customers in seven counties in Maryland and 155,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow Potomac Edison at potomacedison.com, on X @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook at facebook.com/PotomacEdison.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving more than six million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at firstenergycorp.com and on X @FirstEnergyCorp.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-solar-site-generating-energy-in-berkeley-county-west-virginia-302470734.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

How many megawatts of solar power does FirstEnergy's (FE) new Marlowe site generate?

The Marlowe solar site in Berkeley County generates up to 5.75 megawatts of renewable power through more than 17,000 solar panels.

What is FirstEnergy's (FE) total solar capacity in West Virginia as of June 2025?

FirstEnergy's subsidiaries have achieved 30 megawatts of solar capacity across three sites in West Virginia.

How much do FirstEnergy's (FE) Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) cost in West Virginia?

SRECs cost 4 cents per kilowatt hour in addition to normal electricity rates.

What is FirstEnergy's (FE) total planned solar capacity for West Virginia?

Mon Power and Potomac Edison plan to develop five solar projects totaling 50 megawatts of solar generation.

How many homes can the new Marlowe solar site power?

Based on SEIA data stating one megawatt powers 173 homes, the 5.75-megawatt Marlowe site can power approximately 995 homes.