US Solar energy solutions provider BlueChip Energy LLC has received permission to build a 40 MW solar plant in Sorrento, Florida, the company announced last week.
BlueChip Energy has received the consent just ten weeks after placing its solar energy project plan to the Lake County Board of County Commissioners.
The Sorrento solar project will spread on some 201 acre (80.9 ha) rural area and produce 64 million kWh of electricity a year, enough to save 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and power 8,000 households, according to BlueChip. The facility's solar panels will be placed up to seven feet (2.1 m) off the ground, without damaging the natural environment. The project also envisages a research and development section and an observation deck.
Local utility Progress Energy Florida, a unit of Progress Energy (NYSE:PGN), will buy the plant's output under a power purchase agreement (PPA).
BlueChip Energy plans to commence construction in the beginning of July.
The solar project is seen to create up to 250 construction and maintenance jobs, and some 150 manufacturing jobs.
The Sorrento power plant would be the largest privately-owned solar power facility in Florida, BlueChip said.
