• More than 19,000 megawatt hours of carbon-free electricity will be produced annually
• Project will help control wholesale power costs to keep rates stable for the electric cooperative’s members

LENOIR, N.C., April 6, 2021 – Blue Ridge Energy, a member-owned electric cooperative serving northwest North Carolina, has selected Oriden LLC to develop a utility-scale solar project as part of its Brighter Future initiative. This project will provide a local generation source and allow Blue Ridge Energy to work towards their low cost, low carbon future with two significant carbon reduction targets: to achieve 50 percent reduction in carbon emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Blue Ridge Energy’s CEO, Doug Johnson, said, “To meet our sustainability goals while upholding our commitments to reliability and affordability, we are focusing our efforts on areas that make the electric grid more flexible, efficient, resilient, and capable of supporting new energy solutions and the vitality of our communities. We look forward to implementing Oriden’s custom-designed large-scale solar solution, which we have named Brighter Future Solar, to help meet our goals.”

The Brighter Future Solar project will provide substantial additional carbon-free electricity to Blue Ridge Energy. The utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) project will cover 50 to 55 acres in southern Caldwell County and will provide 11 megawatts of power — enough for 1,600 homes. By comparison, Blue Ridge Energy’s five existing community solar gardens cover about four acres combined and produce enough power for 75 homes.

Scheduled to come online this year, the Brighter Future Solar project will generate and send 19,000 megawatt hours of carbon-free electricity into the grid annually. Blue Ridge Energy will purchase the full output of the project through a 25-year fully bundled Power Purchase Agreement. This will help control wholesale power costs to keep rates stable for cooperative members. In the future, the project can help the cooperative provide alternative rate options to benefit the membership and help manage peak power demands for electricity.

Three companies are supporting the Brighter Future Solar project:

• Oriden is leading the development and financing, while overseeing all project permitting, site diligence, engineering, and major equipment decisions. Oriden is a full-service renewable energy developer funded and backed by Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc., an industry leader in power generation, renewables and energy storage solutions.
• United Renewable Energy™ LLC is providing late stage development support, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services using local North Carolina based management and labor. URE develops, designs, builds and maintains solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems for utilities, industrial and commercial companies, independent power producers, and electrical membership co-operatives.
• Pisgah Energy supported local community engagement and permitting efforts. The company provides comprehensive solar and energy storage design and development services across the Southeast.

Michael Berlin, Director of Energy Development at Oriden, said, “Blue Ridge Energy’s investment in solar shows great leadership and ensures its members’ energy generation needs are met sustainably and affordably. Oriden appreciates Blue Ridge Energy’s partnership and will execute with a focus on exceptional quality as it brings northwestern North Carolina a Change in Power.”

Sitemap for Blue Ridge Energy’s Brighter Future Solar project being developed by Oriden, a venture of Mitsubishi Power Americas. The utility-scale project will cover approximately 50 to 55 acres in southern Caldwell County, N.C., and will provide 11 megawatts of power. It will generate and send 19,000 megawatt hours of carbon-free electricity into the grid annually. (Image courtesy Oriden)

About Oriden LLC

Located in Pittsburgh, Oriden develops, constructs, finances, owns and operates renewable energy projects throughout the United States. As local governments, public institutions and corporations prioritize cleaner sources for their energy needs, they want a developer with the ingenuity, the agility and the speed of a start-up — a fearless pioneer. But they also want to mitigate risk with a proven veteran that has the financial strength and experience to develop, commercialize, operate and own a highly complex project. Oriden is venture funded and backed by Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc., which has more than a century of experience manufacturing, servicing and providing power and energy solutions globally. For more information, visit the Oriden website and the Mitsubishi Power Americas website.

About Blue Ridge Energy

Blue Ridge Energy is a member-owned electric cooperative serving some 77,000 members in northwest North Carolina. The cooperative is committed to powering a Brighter Future for its members and communities by adding sustainable, renewable energy, using innovative technology for a reliable, resilient power grid and enriching the lives of the people it serves. For more information, visit BlueRidgeEnergy.com.

1.4 Megawatt Solar Array and 500 Kilowatt Battery to Provide Financial Savings and Support Campus’ Environmental Sustainability

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FREDONIA, N.Y., July 7, 2020 — The State University of New York at Fredonia (SUNY Fredonia) announced today that construction is starting on its first solar/battery project, enabling the Chautauqua County campus in Western New York to lead by example in reducing its carbon footprint with innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy technology. The New York Power Authority (NYPA), as the campus’ energy advisor, is overseeing the project. Selected in a competitive bidding process, the state’s strategic partners Oriden, a Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems venture, and Solar Liberty are providing a turnkey installation for the solar-plus-storage solution, from concept to design, installation, and financing.

The project supports the SUNY Clean Energy Roadmap — announced last year by SUNY in partnership with New York State’s energy agencies — to accelerate progress toward New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s goal to procure 70 percent of New York’s electricity from renewable energy by 2030 and to transition to a carbon-free power grid by 2040. Aligned with this Roadmap to move to clean energy at the SUNY system’s 64 campuses, SUNY Fredonia has partnered with NYPA, which will manage the project, to incorporate clean renewable energy resources on its campus.

Oriden and Solar Liberty will provide a customized 1.4 megawatt ground-mounted solar photovoltaic array integrated with a 500 kilowatt energy storage system to ensure energy is available during peak electric demand and emergencies. The solar-plus-storage solution will provide about 1.7 gigawatt hours of energy and offset an average 432,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.

“This project underscores Fredonia’s commitment to environmental stewardship. The solar array will provide significant long-term financial savings, while also supporting the institutional goal of environmental sustainability as outlined in Fredonia’s strategic plan,” said SUNY Fredonia Interim President Dennis Hefner.

Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA’s president and CEO, said, “SUNY continues to be a leader in the smart use of clean, renewable resources and NYPA is proud that our expertise as a clean energy advisor is providing a pivotal example for other universities and organizations across the state. With this project, SUNY Fredonia made a commitment to more efficient energy use and environmental responsibility. We are also pleased that the Oriden and Solar Liberty team proposed an integrated customized solar and energy storage solution that will optimize the broader electric power grid.”

The project — located on the north edge of campus between the New York State Thruway and the Blue Devil softball field — will be hosted by the campus, and SUNY Fredonia will purchase all energy produced through a power purchase agreement.

Solar Liberty, one of the largest solar electric installers in New York State, will provide the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) services as well as long-term maintenance. Oriden, a renewable energy developer, will support the development as well as provide project financing.

Nathan Rizzo, Solar Liberty’s vice president, stated, “SUNY Fredonia is leading by example to its staff, student body, and broader community that clean renewable power generation and storage can be creatively incorporated at universities statewide. This project has great significance for me as a SUNY Fredonia alumnus. I am proud of the University’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.”

“Oriden is pleased that NYPA and SUNY Fredonia recognized the high quality of our customized integrated solar photovoltaic and energy storage solution,” said Masahiro “Mas” Ogiso, Oriden’s president and chief executive officer. “Our solution is consistent with the quality that Oriden’s parent Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems is known for. This project is also a positive recognition of our local strategic partnership with Solar Liberty. We look forward to many more projects like this to provide Solutions for a Change in Power.”

About Oriden

Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Oriden develops, constructs, finances, owns and operates distributed renewable energy technologies throughout the United States. As local governments, public institutions and corporations prioritize cleaner sources for their energy needs, they want a developer with the ingenuity, the agility and the speed of a start-up — a fearless pioneer. But they also want to mitigate risk with a proven veteran that has the financial strength and experience to develop, commercialize, operate and own a highly complex project. Oriden is venture funded and backed by Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS), which has more than a century of experience manufacturing, servicing and providing power and energy solutions globally. MHPS recently announced that its name will soon change to Mitsubishi Power.
https://www.oridenpower.com/, https://www.changeinpower.com/topfive/

About Solar Liberty

Headquartered in Buffalo, New York, Solar Liberty is a full-service provider of solar. Over the past seventeen years of operation, the company has developed, installed and maintained over 150 megawatts of solar projects. With over 2,500 completed installations, Solar Liberty’s success has been based on its customer service, skilled staff, and quality solar projects.
https://www.solarliberty.com/

About SUNY Fredonia

Founded in 1826, Fredonia is among the most storied campuses in The State University of New York system. It is home to a world-renowned School of Music and over 80 degree programs in liberal arts, natural and social sciences, education, mathematics and business. Fredonia also features cutting-edge programs in the emerging fields of technology, service and communication. Fredonia is known for its strong academic programs, attractive architecture and grounds, rich campus life and commitment to student engagement and success. Fredonia is focused on ensuring that all students, utilizing knowledge developed through a broad range of intellectual experiences, will become skilled, connected, creative and responsible global citizens and professionals. Experience Fredonia at https://www.fredonia.edu.

About NYPA

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter @NYPAenergy, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.