PJM Interconnection has issued two feasibility studies on companion 5-MW solar projects of Appalachian Power, with the studies needed to determine a plan, with ballpark cost and construction time estimates, to connect the subject generation to the PJM network.
In one case, Appalachian Power, a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), has requested interconnection of a 5-MW (2.5-MW Capacity) solar facility in Smyth County Virginia. The requested In service date is June 1, 2017. This project is under PJM queue #AB2-010. Appalachian Power would also be the interconnecting transmission owner.
This project was evaluated as a 5-MW (Capacity 2.5 MW) injection at the Saltville 138kV substation in the AEP area. Project AB2-010 was studied with a commercial probability of 100%.
The project consists of separate installations in two different phases. AB2-010 represents Phase One of the combined installation. AB2-010 contains the one 5 MW solar array connected to six SMA Sunny Central 850CP-US inverters.
Also, Appalachian Power has requested interconnection of an additional 5 MW (2.5 MW Capacity) to the AB2-010 solar facility. This will bring the total energy injection to 10 MW (5 MW Capacity for the facility) The requested in-service date for this second phase, under queue #AB2-011, is Nov. 1, 2017.
Both studies are dated August 2016. They are mid-points in a queue process that leads to the signing of Interconnection Service Agreements.
