The Delaware Electric Cooperative has announced plans to build a four megawatt solar park near Georgetown.
The park, which will be be 20 acres and capable of powering 500 homes, will help the cooperative meet Delaware's renewableenergy standards requiring utilities to generate or purchase 25 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2025.

The company says there's potential for the park, which is being developed by SunEdison, to expand to 40 acres and eight megawatts of power.

The project will cost about $14 million and be completed by early next year.

“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," DEC president Bill Andrew said in a statement.

The project, which will not have an immediate impact on member rates, will use Delaware labor, creating 40 temporary jobs. The solarpanels will come from Motech Americas in Newark.

“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,” Derick Botha, vice president of Motech Americas, said in a statement. “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.”


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 counties.
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