Delaware Co-Op expands solar farm in state

The Delaware Electric Cooperative’s (DEC) Bruce A. Henry Solar Farm in Sussex County is undergoing an expansion.

Constellation, a retail energy provider that’s a subsidiary of Exelon, is building a 17-acre, 4.2 MW (D.C.) addition to the solar farm, located near Georgetown. The Delaware Co-Op will purchase the energy produced at the site from the company over 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.

With the expansion, the facility will have 40-acres of solar panels, which will produce enough energy to power nearly 1,000 homes. The expansion is expected to produce an estimated 5.1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in the first year. This will avert 3,600 metric tons of carbon dioxide from going into the atmosphere.

“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 Bruce A. Henry Solar Farm became operational in 2013.