The Delaware Electric Cooperative is breaking ground on a 20-acre solar energy farm in Sussex County this week.
Utility spokesman Jeremy Tucker says contractors have begun preliminary work clearing and fencing in the area located on East Trap Pond Road.
“We expect in about a month or two to be able to start installing the solar panels, the major components of the project," said Tucker. "That’s when you’re going to see the field transform from an old empty farm field into a pretty large solar facility, one of the largest in the state.”
The project west of Georgetown is part of an effort by the utility to comply with state mandates that require utilities to invest in renewable energy projects.
“It will produce enough energy to power about 500 homes," said Tucker. "If it’s expanded in a couple of years, we should be able to provide enough power for a thousand homes, but to start off it will be 20 acres, containing about 16 thousand solar panels, so you’re going to notice this facility as you drive down the street.”
Tucker adds to power closer to 1000 homes the utility would be looking at doubling the farm’s size to 40 acres.
The cost of the initial project is about 14 million dollars, but Tucker says it is not expected to have an immediate impact on utility rates. The solar farm is slated to be complete and soaking up sunlight by May of 2013.