GEORGETOWN, Del.-Construction is underway to expand Delaware Electric Cooperative's Bruce A. Henry Solar Farm near Georgetown.

Earlier this year, the Co-op signed an agreement with energy provider Constellation to nearly double the size of the 23-acre solar facility.

Constellation, an Exelon company, is currently building a 17-acre, 4.2 MW (DC) addition to the solar farm. The Co-op will purchase the clean energy produced at the site from the company over the next 25 years.

"This project will allow us to increase our portfolio of renewable energy sources without raising electric rates," DEC President and CEO Bill Andrew said. "It’s good for members and good for the environment.”

The 17 acres of new solar panels at the farm are expected to provide enough energy to power more than 400 homes. The combined 40 acres of solar panels located at the site are expected to produce enough energy to power nearly 1,000 homes, according to DEC.

Additionally, the project has created approximately 40 temporary jobs, DEC said.

The expanded array is expected to produce an estimated 5.1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in the first year. Generating the same amount of electricity using nonrenewable sources would result in the release of more than 3,600 metric tons of carbon dioxide, or the equivalent emissions from 770 passenger vehicles annually, according to U.S. EPA estimates.

The expanded portion of the facility is expected to begin producing power for Co-op members by the end of the year, pending any weather-related delays, DEC said.