US solar operator CleanChoice Energy has connected its first fully owned and operated solar project, located in Pennsylvania.

Built in Franklin county, the 26MW Blairs Valley solar farm is the first completed project in the company’s pipeline.

Blair Valley includes more than 30,000 bifacial solar panels and is equipped with flex tracking that enables smart rotation to optimise the amount of sunlight captured.

The solar farm is connected to the PJM electric grid, which supplies energy to utilities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and regions throughout other surrounding states.

“This interconnection marks an important milestone in CleanChoice Energy’s long-term solar generation plans.

“We are not only connecting people to clean energy sources, but now we are also generating and adding renewable energy to the grid,” said Zoe Gamble, president of CleanChoice.

“As staunch supporters of the environment, we are committed to responsible development of our solar projects by making mindful design choices that support local wildlife, the land and the community.

“We are eager to continue this work as we embark upon new solar generation projects and do our part to support a future free from catastrophic climate change.”

CleanChoice worked with local seed conservationists to develop a solar farm seed mix that welcomes pollinators.

Intentional design plans for the solar project also foster existing habitats on the property, including permeable fencing to allow free movement of wildlife through the space and the preservation of natural wetlands through an extension of the interconnection path.

For the first four years of the solar project’s operation, CleanChoice will award an annual scholarship of $2500 to a graduating senior from the local school district which can support college or vocational education.

The project pioneers using retail supply as the offtaker allowing the project to serve thousands of retail customers.

“Blairs Valley is just the start of a new way to value the collective impact of people's choice of clean energy,” said Devin Sanderson, chief operating officer and executive vice president of Churchill Stateside Group.

“We are pleased to support CleanChoice in bringing utility scale solar to retail energy customers.” Churchill Stateside Group served as the renewable energy tax equity investor for Blairs Valley and Range Renewable Advisors served as advisor to CleanChoice.

The Blairs Valley solar project is the first in a number of projects in the pipeline for CleanChoice as it fulfils its commitment to expanding into a solar owner and operator model.

The company recently announced a 29MW solar project in Kylertown, Pennsylvania that will break ground this winter.