Work underway to expand Delaware Electric Coop’s solar farm

Constellation, an Exelon company, is expanding Delaware Electric Cooperative’s Bruce A. Henry Solar Farm in Sussex County.

Constellation signed a deal earlier this year with Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC) to nearly double the size of the 23-acre solar facility near Georgetown. Constellation is building a 17-acre, 4.2 MW (DC) addition to the solar farm.

The cooperative will purchase the energy produced at the site for the next 25 years.

“Our goal is to provide our members with the cleanest and most affordable power. This project will allow us to increase our portfolio of renewable energy sources without raising electric rates. It’s good for members and good for the environment,” DEC President and CEO Bill Andrew said.

Including the addition, the 40-acres of solar panels located at the site are expected to produce enough energy to power nearly 1,000 homes. Specifically, the solar facility is expected to produce an estimated 5.1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in the first year. To generate the same amount of electricity using non-renewable sources would produce more than 3,600 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

“By teaming with the Delaware Electric Cooperative to introduce additional renewable supply to its members, we’re bringing another clean energy solution to municipal cooperative customers across the U.S.,” Brendon Quinlivan, executive director, Distributed Energy Origination for Constellation, said. “We’re also helping to fulfill our commitment to develop five megawatts of solar generation in the State of Delaware as a result of the Exelon-Pepco Holdings merger in 2016.”

The expansion is expected to be producing power by the end of the year, pending any weather-related delays. The Delaware Electric Cooperative powers more than 100,000 homes, farms, and businesses in Kent and Sussex counties.