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Springfield, MO
The city of Nixa tomorrow plans to turn on what’s billed as the state’s largest solar farm.
Springfield-based Gardner Capital Inc.’s solar unit — and its hired contractor and operator, Lee’s Summit-based MC Power Cos. — broke ground in late June on the 72-acre farm with 33,288 solar panels.
Tomorrow, the 7.9-megawatt farm will begin partially powering Nixa homes and businesses. A dedication ceremony is scheduled 10 a.m. at 1565 W. Mt. Vernon St., according to a news release.
The farm has the ability to produce more than 15 million kilowatt hours per year, equal to about 9 percent of Nixa’s annual energy consumption. Through the solar farm agreement, Nixa will buy all of the generated power over a 25-year period.
Nixa is scheduled to pay Gardner Capital 4.87 cents per kWh in the first year, with rates escalating annually to 8.69 cents per kWh by 2043. According to the release, that’s less than what it pays now through agreements with City Utilities of Springfield and the Southwestern Power Administration, meaning Nixa will realize $2.5 million in savings during the contract’s 25-year length.
A safe room and classroom addition at Willard Central Elementary School will be used by the music, arts and athletic programs for a district that had 4,536 students last year, according to Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education figures, but school officials say enrollment is projected to grow.