Largest Eastern US Solar Facility to be Built in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell has unveiled plans for the construction of a new solar energy power station that will be the fourth-largest facility of its kind in the country and the largest east of Arizona when operations begin next April.

"This major announcement shows that affordable, secure and alternative sources of power are available now and will result in a cleaner environment, competitive energy prices and the reduction of our dependence on foreign fuel," said Governor Rendell. "In the next few years, consumers and businesses across the state are expected to encounter dramatic energy cost increases. In order to avoid economic hardship on our families and businesses and we must act now.

"With the introduction of new, reliable alternative energy choices for Pennsylvania’s consumers, we will empower our citizens and businesses to take control of escalating utility bills by adjusting usage to take advantage of lower, off-peak rates; encourage energy efficiency; use new, clean electricity generation and invest in Pennsylvania’s home-grown energy," the Governor said.

Exelon Generation Company LLC has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement for the energy produced at a new solar energy generation plant with EPURON LLC, a subsidiary the world’s largest solar integration company Conergy AG. Plans call for more than 16,500 solar panels to be built on 16.5-acres, adjacent to Waste Management’s GROWS Landfill, capturing the sun’s rays and converting them into electricity.

Upon completion, the plant will produce approximately 3,700 megawatt hours of power, enough to meet the annual energy requirements of 300-350 homes. At this output, emission levels of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide that directly contribute to pollution and acid rain will be reduced by the equivalent benefit of planting 33 acres of trees every year.

"Not only are projects like this good for the environment, but they are creating new economic opportunities, creating thousands of new solar jobs in every corner of the state and putting Pennsylvania on the forefront of the developing renewable energy industry," said Governor Rendell.