Big Rivers is in the process of contracting for a total of 260 MW of solar energy, enough energy to power about 25,000 homes in western Kentucky. Two of the projects are outlined in the links below. Projects in Meade County and McCracken County will allow Big Rivers to supply energy to retail members of Jackson Purchase Energy, Kenergy Corp and Meade County RECC, including the Nucor Steel manufacturing facility being constructed in Brandenburg, KY.
The Solar Education Center is designed to bring hands-on solar power information to western Kentucky. Our goal is to provide local cooperative members, schools, and the public with better insight on how solar energy works in our region and a detailed breakdown of the technology’s costs. All of the solar arrays are open for in-person visits.
These seven educational arrays are the result of planning and cooperation between Big Rivers Electric Corporation and its three Member-Owner cooperatives, Kenergy Corporation, Meade County Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation, Jackson Purchase Energy Corporation. It’s the latest project to evolve from a history dedicated to working together as cooperatives, sharing technology, and delivering competitive power to the region.

Energy Generation
All 7 Combined Sites
Instantaneous Power (kW)
0.35
Maximum Power
(kW)
92.33
Meade County RECC – Brandenburg
Instantaneous Power
(kW)
0.00
Maximum Power
(kW)
16.28
Temperature
(F)
21.9°
Irradiance
(Solar Strength)
68 W/m²
Meade County RECC – Hardinsburg
Instantaneous Power
(kW)
0.00
Maximum Power
(kW)
8.23
Temperature
(F)
22.0°
Irradiance
(Solar Strength)
0 W/m²
Kenergy – Owensboro
Instantaneous Power
(kW)
0.00
Maximum Power
(kW)
21.86
Temperature
(F)
20.0°
Irradiance
(Solar Strength)
849 W/m²
Kenergy – Henderson
Instantaneous Power
(kW)
0.00
Maximum Power
(kW)
21.45
Temperature
(F)
19.7°
Irradiance
(Solar Strength)
974 W/m²
JPEC – Livingston County Middle School
Instantaneous Power
(kW)
0.00
Maximum Power
(kW)
8.10
Temperature
(F)
20.5°
Irradiance
(Solar Strength)
1,016 W/m²
Mike Miller Park
Instantaneous Power
(kW)
0.00
Maximum Power
(kW)
8.15
Temperature
(F)
22.6°
Irradiance
(Solar Strength)
391 W/m²
JPEC – McCracken County High School
Instantaneous Power
(kW)
0.35
Maximum Power
(kW)
8.26
Temperature
(F)
21.2°
Irradiance
(Solar Strength)
864 W/m²