For 35 years, the Dolet Hills power plant in DeSoto Parish produced electricity by burning lignite coal. It was jointly owned by SWEPCO and Cleco and was one of the last coal-fired plants in the state.
Soon, that same property will produce power with the sun.
Solar panels soon will be sprouting on land that as recently as 2021 was centered on lignite, a type of “dirty” coal considered the most harmful to health because of its high moisture and lower energy content. The groundbreaking on the newest northwest Louisiana solar farm to take its place is planned for Nov. 14…