MUDDY CREEK TWP — A stretch of open land will soon be a hub for renewable energy.

Township supervisors during a meeting on Wednesday, March 19, unanimously gave developers the green light for a new solar power generation facility following an extensive public hearing.

Cameron Schuler and Wesley Purinton of Colorado-based Korsail Energy presented plans for the 4.5 megawatt facility, which will be located in the area of 192 Burnside Road.

According to Schuler, the electricity generated by the new farm will be sold to WestPenn Power and is expected to supply enough energy for 200-300 homes each year.

While the company signed a lease for 120 acres, developers plan to utilize only 39 acres in the northwest corner of the property.

The solar panels themselves are slated to sit on 37 acres.

As a preemptive measure, two detention ponds will be on site to avoid any possible runoff.

Additionally, the entire property will be encased in an 8-foot high fence complete with screening panels and barb wire for security purposes.

Developers noted they will perform landscaping on the west side of the property as a “vegetative buffer between the panels and the nearby properties.”

They will also comply with a newly-established township ordinance, which mandates that solar panels be located at least 300 feet away from any residential buildings or any natural water resource.

Vice chairman Rick Saunders explained to residents that the township passed an ordinance in late August of last year that covered renewable energy resources, such as solar facilities and wind turbines.

“We passed an ordinance for this and everything they’re doing has met this ordinance so far,” Saunders said during the hearing.

More than a dozen residents in attendance were also assured that no trees would be cut down at any point during the construction process.

The next step for developers will be to acquire all environmental permits, which will take anywhere between 6-9 months, according to Schuler.

Purinton said that the company’s lease is for 30 years and could be extended well beyond that, should it make sense.

“These panels have a life span of around 30-35 years,” he said. “You can replace panels and there would be that opportunity if we wanted to extend (the lease) up to 50 years.”

Korsail Energy, which first approached township supervisors about the project in early December, will fund 100% of the project.

Township residents will not see any tax increases as a result of the new facility.