CleanChoice Energy has announced that it has connected its first wholly owned solar project. The Blairs Valley solar farm, located in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, has the generation capacity to power the equivalent of 4,500 homes with renewable energy. It is the first completed project of several upcoming projects the company has in the pipeline.
The Blairs Valley solar project has a capacity of 26.15 MW and is located on 168 hectares. The farm has more than 30,000 double-sided solar panels and is equipped with flex tracking that enables smart rotation to optimize the amount of sunlight captured. The solar farm is connected to PJM’s electric grid, which supplies energy to utilities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and regions in other surrounding states.
“This interconnection marks an important milestone in CleanChoice Energy’s long-term solar plans. Not only are we connecting people to clean energy sources, but now we are also generating renewable energy and adding it to the grid,” said Zoë Gamble, president of CleanChoice. “As passionate advocates of the environment, we are committed to responsible development of our solar projects by making conscious design choices that support local wildlife, land and community. We are eager to continue this work as we embark on new solar energy generation projects and do our part to ensure a future free from catastrophic climate change.”
To further its commitment to improving the planet, CleanChoice partnered with local seed savers to develop a solar farm seed mix that welcomes pollinators. Intentional design plans for the solar project also promote existing habitats on the property, including permeable fencing to allow the free movement of wildlife through the space and the conservation of natural wetlands through an extension of the connecting trail.
In conjunction with the Blairs Valley interconnection, CleanChoice has also announced a new scholarship program that will help support the future generation of leaders in renewable energy and environmental sciences. During the first four years of operation of the solar project, CleanChoice will award an annual $2,500 scholarship to a graduating senior from the local school district who can support college or vocational education.
“Blairs Valley is just the beginning of a new way to value the collective impact of people’s choices for clean energy,” said Devin Sanderson, chief operating officer and executive VP of Churchill Stateside Group. “We are pleased to support CleanChoice in offering utility-scale solar to residential energy customers.”
Churchill Stateside Group acted as renewable energy tax investor for Blairs Valley and Range Renewable Advisors acted as advisor to CleanChoice.
The Blairs Valley solar project is the first of several projects in the pipeline for CleanChoice as it fulfills its commitment to expand into a solar owner-operator model. The company recently announced a 29 MW solar project in Kylertown, Pennsylvania, that will break ground this winter. CleanChoice has more than ten additional solar projects planned in the coming months, expanding its footprint in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
News item from CleanChoice Energy
