CleanChoice Energy flips switch on its first owned-and-operated solar project

CleanChoice Energy announced it has interconnected its first fully owned-and-operated solar project. Located in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, the Blairs Valley solar farm has the generating capacity to supply the equivalent of 4,500 homes with renewable energy. It is the first completed of several upcoming projects in the company’s pipeline.

The Blairs Valley solar project has a capacity of 26.15 MW and sits on 168 acres. The farm includes more than 30,000 bifacial solar panels and is equipped with flex tracking that enables smart rotation to optimize the amount of sunlight captured. The solar farm is interconnected to the PJM electric grid, which supplies energy to utilities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and regions throughout other surrounding states.

“This interconnection marks an important milestone in CleanChoice Energy’s long-term solar generation plans. We are not only connecting people to clean energy sources, but now we are also generating and adding renewable energy to the grid,” said Zoë Gamble, president of CleanChoice. “As staunch supporters of the environment, we are committed to responsible development of our solar projects by making mindful design choices that support local wildlife, the land and the community. We are eager to continue this work as we embark upon new solar generation projects and do our part to support a future free from catastrophic climate change.”

Reinforcing its commitment to bettering the planet, CleanChoice worked with local seed conservationists to develop a solar farm seed mix that welcomes pollinators. Intentional design plans for the solar project also foster existing habitats on the property, including permeable fencing to allow free movement of wildlife through the space and the preservation of natural wetlands through an extension of the interconnection path.

In tandem with the interconnection in Blairs Valley, CleanChoice also announced a new scholarship program that will help support the future generation of renewable energy and environmental science leaders. For the first four years of the solar project’s operation, CleanChoice will award an annual scholarship of $2,500 to a graduating senior from the local school district which can support college or vocational education.

“Blairs Valley is just the start of a new way to value the collective impact of people’s choice of clean energy,” said Devin Sanderson, chief operating officer and executive VP of Churchill Stateside Group. “We are pleased to support CleanChoice in bringing utility-scale solar to retail energy customers.”

Churchill Stateside Group served as the renewable energy tax equity investor for Blairs Valley and Range Renewable Advisors served as advisor to CleanChoice.

The Blairs Valley solar project is the first in a number of projects in the pipeline for CleanChoice as it fulfills its commitment to expanding into a solar owner and operator model. The company recently announced a 29-MW solar project in Kylertown, Pennsylvania, that will break ground this winter. CleanChoice has upwards of ten additional solar projects lined up in the coming months, expanding its footprint across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

News item from CleanChoice Energy

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/12/cleanchoice-energy-flips-switch-on-its-first-owned-and-operated-solar-project/