Construction officially got underway this week on the $20 million Exelon-EPURON Solar Center that will feature 16,500 solar panels on a 16.5-acre tract of land adjacent to Waste Management’s GROWS Landfill.

Upon completion, the solar plant will annually produce approximately 3,700 megawatt hours of power, which is enough to meet the energy requirements of approximately 400 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 of planting 33 acres of trees every year or taking more than 440 cars off the road each year.

The facility is owned by EPURON LLC, a subsidiary of the world’s largest solar integration company, Conergy AG, which has its North American headquarters in Pennsylvania. Another Pennsylvania-based Conergy subsidiary, Conergy Systems USA—formerly SunTechnics—will build the solar center.

“We are pleased to begin construction of the largest East Coast solar energy facility, and the fourth largest in the U.S.,” said Arndt E. Lutz, EPURON general manager. “This project will be the first of many in Pennsylvania that will help meet the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard that the commonwealth had the vision to implement. It is our goal to develop and build solar energy in Pennsylvania for many years to come. We would like to express our thanks to the Governor, state legislature, Exelon and Waste Management for making this project happen.”

“When this facility is up and running—likely by September or October of this year—it will be among the largest in the country, and certainly the largest east of Arizona,” said Gov. Rendell during groundbreaking ceremonies. “This project embodies the commitment we’ve made to renewable energy in the Commonwealth.”

Exelon Generation Company LLC made an important financial commitment to the project through a 20-year power purchase agreement for the energy produced, recognizing the environmental importance of solar energy, according to Kenneth Cornew, president of Exelon Power Team.

“Exelon recognizes the importance of minimizing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity production,” said Cornew. “We are an industry leader in this area. Our fleet emits less greenhouse gas than any other large electric generation company, but we all need to do more to reduce our carbon footprint and meet America’s future energy needs. This is why Exelon is proud to be a partner with the governor, the state legislature, Epuron, and Waste Management in bringing the benefits of one of the nation's largest solar power projects to Pennsylvania and the region.”

3/21/2008