By Blake Jackson
Pennsylvania is set to build its largest solar farm on the site of a retired coal plant. The 402-megawatt Mineral Basin Solar Project will be on 2,700 acres of former coal-mining land in Clearfield County. This project aims to fill the energy gap left by the closure of the state's biggest coal plant in July 2023.
Developed by Swift Current Energy, the solar farm will generate enough clean power to supply 75,000 homes. The company is also considering adding battery storage to the project. Mineral Basin serves as a pilot for SCE's plan to develop 1,000 megawatts of solar power on old coal mine sites in the Appalachians over the next five years.
The U.S. Department of Energy awarded $90 million in federal funding for the project, utilizing funds allocated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This project is expected to create over 750 construction jobs and six permanent positions, along with $1.1 million annually in tax revenue for local communities.
Construction could begin this summer with an expected completion date in late 2026. The project secured a 20-year power purchase agreement from New York in November 2023. Additionally, the developer plans to invest nearly $20 million in regional workforce development programs.
Photo Credit: istock-simplycreativephotography
Categories: Pennsylvania, Energy