Luminance will acquire two solar sites from ECA Solar, a renewable energy developer and producer.
The plants, with a combined capacity of more than 10 megawatts, are in Delmarva Power’s service territory in Kent and Sussex counties. Luminace is part of Brookfield Renewables, a Canadian company that also manages investments.
The facilities are expected to provide solar energy to more than 2,500 homes participating in the utility’s community solar program. The total investment in these projects is expected to be more than $25 million.
“ECA began working in Delaware with local stakeholders in the winter of 2021, within the Community Energy Facilities program enabled by Senate Bill 2. Our goal was to create savings on residents’ electric bills, job creation, and the environmental benefits that result from community solar projects. Since then, we have built an amazing local team and support network throughout various professions. As we approach the groundbreaking stage of our first two projects, it’s important to acknowledge the years of work put in by everyone involved to get us here,” said Vincent Moschella, chief development officer.
The ECA projects that Luminace will acquire are in Kent and Sussex counties.
“Our recently announced relationship and associated portfolio with ECA Solar enables residents and businesses across Delaware to access clean, renewable solar energy and continues to expand a wider footprint of community solar assets throughout Delaware. As we continue to expand our valued network of strategic channel partnerships across key markets in the U.S., we are excited to work with the ECA team on supporting each other’s mutual growth objectives this year,” says Brendon Quinlivan, Luminace’s CEO.
ECA Solar has become one of the largest developers in Delaware with more than 80 megawatts of photovoltaic and storage capacity in development and a total portfolio of more than 650 megawatts in the US, where it began operations ten years ago.
As noted by Mr. Moschella “ECA has employed a diversified approach to the development of community solar by using greenfield properties and built environments – rooftops, brownfields, and parking lots. Our development practice enables states to reach their renewable energy targets with the utilization of our distributed solar and storage facilities,” Moschella stated. “We have proudly developed across 12 states over the last ten years. As we open solar facilities across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex County, we will continue to deliver projects that reflect our core values and focus on community benefits.”Further information is available at www.luminace.com.
Community solar is designed to extend the benefits of solar power to a wider population segment. Rooftop solar tends to benefit more affluent homeowners, leaving out renters and those living in lower-income communities. Solar energy can be less expensive than other forms of energy generation, although the amount of land required for arrays limits its expansion potential in areas without large industrial/warehouse rooftops.
Delaware Electric Cooperative encountered opposition to adjusting rates to reflect the costs of connecting and maintaining its powerlines to homes with rooftop solar. Some members complained that higher charges increased the payback time on their rooftop investments.
Growth in solar sites led to curbs in Kent County, with officials citing the loss of farmland.
Corporate entities like Amazon have partnered on solar sites in Delaware and elsewhere as a way to meet clean energy goals.
