UPDATED: Solar farm coming to DeSoto County

Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley has announced the approval of a $90 million solar facility in DeSoto County. 

Presley said in a social media post Friday morning that the private investment would pay more than $400,000 a year in taxes. The approval was part of a public hearing Presley attended in Hernando.

At the height of construction, this 100 MW solar facility will provide 300 construction jobs, three permanent jobs and bring over $400,000 annually in property taxes to DeSoto County. This solar facility, owned and operated by Wildflower Solar- a subsidiary of Clearwater Energy, will produce power to benefit Toyota’s Blue Springs facility in Union County and therefore helping Toyota meet their green energy goals. Toyota has entered into a virtual purchase agreement with Wildflower Solar and will continue to purchase energy from TVA. 

The facility is to be located just outside Walls, according to information from Presley’s office.

“I am proud to approve this free market approach to a renewable energy that meets the needs of Toyota for continued growth in Mississippi, while bringing benefits to DeSoto County,” Presley said. “We have to have a new strategy for a new age in economic development that utilizes Mississippi’s natural resources for strategic economic development. This project does just that and I’m proud to make this happen for our state.”