East Drumore, PA (November 5, 2012) - On October 16^th more than 200 people attended the official dedication of the 6MW dc Keystone Solar Project in East Drumore Township, PA.  The Keystone Solar Project was installed across a 30-acre Lancaster County farm, and was developed in close collaboration with the local farming community and township officials.  Construction began on the 20,702 panel array in mid-June 2012 and was completed in mid-September, with groSolar providing the engineering, procurement, and construction service.   “This is a terrific solar project at a beautiful site.  We are proud of the design and development since it proves that solar power can be implemented in harmony with the community and the natural environment,” said Frank Griffin, groSolar’s EVP for Engineering & Construction.

Community Energy Solar, LLC was the developer of the project, and area organizations signed up for shares of the output – providing energy to be used on Pennsylvania college campuses in addition to facilities for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Clean Air Council.  Participating campuses include: Franklin & Marshall College, Eastern University, Juniata College, Marywood University, Drexel University, and Millersville University.

The design and construction of the solar farm was done to preserve the land and soil for working agricultural use at the end of the project life.  “groSolar did a fine job on our Keystone project.  Working in Lancaster County, in the heart of Amish country, in some of the best farm land in the world, calls for a particular care for the land and clean, on time build out.  We got that.  Without a single complaint from the community and lots of praise.  Mission accomplished.” said Tom Tuffey, Community Energy’s VP for Project Services.

The system will generate approximately 8 million kilowatt hours per year under a power purchase agreement with Exelon Generation (NYSE:EXC), making it the largest solar project to date in Pennsylvania.  This is equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 950 homes or annually avoiding 4,200 tons of carbon dioxide.  The financing was supported in part by grants from the: Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA), Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), Sustainable Energy Fund, and Ben Franklin Technology Partnership.

 

About groSolar

groSolar is a leading solar engineering, procurement and construction firm serving clients throughout the U.S.  Founded in 1998, groSolar integrates components from leading solar manufacturers into energy solutions which generate clean, reliable energy for decades. groSolar has designed and completed more than 2,000 solar power installations nationwide. For more information, visit groSolar.com.

 

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Christine Tachovsky
Marketing Manager, groSolar
802-359-6538