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(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) – The Archdiocese of Louisville and Louisville Gas and Electric Company are partnering to operate the first diocesan-based solar array in the greater Kentucky region. The array, which is located at the Archdiocese’s Pastoral Center and headquarters at 3940 Poplar Level Rd., also marks the inaugural Business Solar project for LG&E and its sister utility, Kentucky Utilities Company.

During Wednesday’s unveiling event, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz and LG&E and KU Chairman, CEO and President Paul W. Thompson celebrated the partnership with Louisville Metro Office of Sustainability Director Maria Koetter, representatives from both organizations and community members.

“Pope Francis has called on all of us – churches, businesses, the civic community, neighborhoods and individuals – to have a shared responsibility in caring for others and the gift of God’s creation, and this Business Solar partnership generating renewable energy with LG&E is one of the ways we’re embracing his teaching,” said Archbishop Kurtz. “It’s our hope that this will motivate other businesses and organizations to begin similar partnerships to help care for our common home, the Earth.”

“Through our Business Solar program, we were able to work with the Archdiocese to design and construct a solar facility that maximizes the space and resources available to them and helps meet their renewable energy goals,” said Thompson. “Being able to offer customized solar systems is exactly why this program was created, so we’re incredibly proud to partner with the Archdiocese and we look forward to collaborating with other customers who are looking to achieve similar goals.”

“The city of Louisville would like to congratulate the Archdiocese of Louisville and LG&E on this terrific partnership,” Maria Koetter, Louisville Metro Office of Sustainability Director said. “The use of clean renewable energy, such as the solar array on the Archdiocese’s Pastoral Center, will play a role in keeping our city green and healthy and will help the Archdiocese save money on energy. Louisville is solar ready as affirmed through our Gold designation by SolSmart, a U.S. Department of Energy initiative to recognize cities with streamlined paths to solar permitting and installation.”

The Archdiocese’s solar array, which was filed with and approved by the Kentucky Public Service Commission, is a rooftop-mounted system made up of 100 solar panels. The system is expected to produce about 30 kilowatts of power or about 45,000 kWh per year, which is enough energy to power about four typical residential homes for one year. The Archdiocese will receive bill credits based on the system’s monthly production.

Through the Business Solar program, LG&E and KU will build, own and operate individually customized solar facilities for interested business and industrial customers on their properties. Each customized project is subject to approval by the KPSC.

The Business Solar program is one of several solar options offered by LG&E and KU. The utilities also generate renewable energy at several generating stations throughout the state, including Kentucky’s largest universal solar facility. Visit the LG&E and KU website to learn more.
 

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Founded in 1808 as the first inland diocese in the United States, the Archdiocese of Louisville extends through 24 counties of Central Kentucky and includes 200,000 Catholics and 110 parishes. Opened in 2017, the Pastoral Center houses the central administrative offices of the Archdiocese of Louisville, including the Office of the Archbishop. See www.archlou.org for more information.

Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies, are regulated utilities that serve nearly 1.3 million customers and have consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. LG&E serves 326,000 natural gas and 411,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties. KU serves 553,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia. More information is available at www.lge-ku.com and www.pplweb.com.