Governor Strickland Helps Dedicate Ohio's Largest Solar Farm

UPPER SANDUSKY, Ohio, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG) hosted Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and other government officials at an event today dedicating the PSEG Wyandot Solar Farm, in Wyandot County, Ohio. The 12-megawatt facility is the largest solar installation operating in Ohio.      

Owned by PSEG Solar Source, the solar farm is an outstanding example of Ohio's burgeoning clean-energy economy at work. It was built by Ohio workers with much of the equipment produced in state. With more than 159,000 ground-mounted panels on 80 acres, the solar farm produces enough emission-free electricity to keep the lights on and air conditioning humming for more than 9,000 homes when the sun is shining.

"You don't have to be from Wyandot County or even the state of Ohio to be proud of what has been accomplished here," said PSEG's Chairman, CEO and President Ralph Izzo. "The Wyandot Solar Farm points the way forward, and is both an environmental and economic win. As a nation, we can all benefit from a future with more green energy that improves our energy security, helps in the fight against climate change and creates good jobs."

Gov. Strickland called the solar farm a glimpse into Ohio's future. "Today we are flipping the switch on Ohio's largest solar farm. But we're really flipping the switch on the future," said Strickland. "Because we made a commitment to advanced energy in Senate Bill 221, the sun will not only power Ohio homes, it will power Ohio jobs. We have solar panels made in Perrysburg. Installed by Ohioans. And creating clean, renewable energy for Ohio businesses."

"Ohio is a leader in advanced energy," added Strickland. "You can see that right here."

American Electric Power subsidiaries, Columbus Southern Power and Ohio Power Companies, have a long-term agreement with PSEG Solar Source to purchase the electricity generated at the farm. The solar farm links to the grid at the Upper Sandusky Substation via a four-mile long generator lead.

PSEG Solar Source focuses on developing utility-scale solar gardens and farms, generally of at least two megawatts in size. PSEG Solar Source also owns a 2-megawatt solar farm in Hackettstown, NJ, serving the adjacent Mars Chocolate factory and is nearing completion of a 15-megawatt facility in Jacksonville, FL. The output of that plant will be provided to the Jacksonville Electric Authority.

"This is an important milestone for PSEG Solar Source, demonstrating our ability to successfully develop, construct and operate utility scale projects," said Diana Drysdale, head of PSEG Solar Source. "Solar farms like this one in Wyandot County, boost local economies through direct project related employment and the development of skills and experience that will increasingly be in demand.  These projects are effectively driving down the cost of solar power enabling it to become a meaningful part of the energy mix."

PSEG Solar Source worked closely with the Wyandot Economic Development office to maximize local business participation in the project.

juwi solar Inc. (JSI) was the engineering, procurement and construction contractor and developed the Wyandot Solar Farm. Vaughn Industries, based in Wyandot County, was the primary construction contractor. Ohio residents filled nearly all of the construction jobs created by the project. First Solar, which has a major manufacturing plant in Perrysburg, OH, supplied the solar panels. Myers Controlled Power of North Canton, OH, provided the power stations.

"This project is the result of a mutually beneficial partnership between PSEG Solar Source and the Wyandot community," said Eric Romich, director of Wyandot County Economic Development. "It has helped nurture an incubating clean energy economy that will provide economic and environment benefits for decades to come."  

PSEG Wyandot Solar Farm fact sheet and photos are available at www.pseg.com/wyandot.

PSEG is a Newark, NJ-based publicly traded diversified energy company with annual revenues of more than $13 billion, and three principal subsidiaries: PSEG Power, Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) and PSEG Energy Holdings.  PSEG's other renewable efforts include installing 80 megawatts of solar power in New Jersey, exploring a 350-megawatt wind farm in the Atlantic Ocean, and promoting the next generation of compressed air energy storage.

PSEG is the 2010 recipient of the Edison Electric Institute's Edison Award, the electric industry's highest honor.

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SOURCE Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)