GREENWOOD, Del.- Delaware Electric Cooperative will soon break ground on a four megawatt solar park in Sussex County, Delaware. Twenty acres of solar panels will be installed near Georgetown, capable of producing enough energy to power 500 homes. The park could eventually be expanded to 40 acres with the ability to produce eight megawatts of power.
The solar park is being developed by SunEdison and will help DEC meet the state’s renewable energy portfolio standards, which require utilities to generate or purchase 25 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2025. The power generated by the facility will offset energy purchases from the wholesale market.
The construction of the solar project is expected to cost approximately $14 million and could be completed by early 2013. The project is not expected to have an immediate impact on member rates.
According to Bill Andrew, President and CEO of DEC, “We are dedicated to providing the highest value to our members while building the park at the lowest possible cost. The park will feed power directly to the Co-op’s electric distribution system.”
The Co-op is also proud to announce that Delaware labor and products manufactured in the First State will be used to build the solar park. The solar panels will be purchased from Motech Americas in Newark, Delaware and the construction of the facility will create 40 temporary jobs.
“We are pleased that DEC is supporting the renewable energy economy right here in Delaware by providing its members locally produced, renewable energy from a source that has been producing solar modules right here in Delaware for the last 20 years,” stated Derick Botha, Vice President of Motech Americas. “DEC is fostering green jobs in Delaware and giving back to the community by supporting the local economy and we are proud to be the provider of choice.”
“Delaware Electric Cooperative is committed to using Delaware workers and solar panels made in the state. This park will provide a much needed economic boost to Delaware,” said Andrew.
Governor Jack Markell has thrown his support behind the project, which promises to offer environmentally friendly energy to southern Delaware.
“The new solar park makes a smart investment in the community,” said Governor Jack Markell. “It puts people to work building and installing clean energy technology which provides jobs, benefits the environment and helps to grow the clean technology industry.”
Groundbreaking for the project is expected to be held this spring.
Delaware Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric utility serving 84,000 member-owners in Kent and Sussex County, Delaware. For more information visit us on the web at www.delaware.coop or www.beatthepeak.coop or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.