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Solar Farm Planned for Big Spring Area

A 30 megawatt solar farm could be up and running in Howard County in about two years.
by Mike Henry
KBYG - Special to NewsWest9

BIG SPRING - The Big Spring area is one step closer to having a solar farm. R.R.E. Solar representatives were at the Big Spring Economic Development Corporation offices Friday morning to sign a $85,000 land purchase deal for about 300 acres east of Big Spring.

The company wants to construct a 30 megawatt solar panel facility on the land. The land purchase has a 120 day waiting period before everything is final, but site preparation could begin as soon as October or November. The land is currently owned by the Big Spring EDC.

Company officials said Friday they would like to eventually expand or even double to a 60 megawatt solar facility here in the future.

R.R.E. Solar is currently developing a 60 megawatt solar facility in Pflugerville, Texas. A company spokesman says they plan on having a dozen or more such facilities nationwide. Once construction begins, the solar farm will be completed within a year and a half to two years. Construction would employ about 150 to 200 workers and four or five people will work in Big Spring once it is completed.

The company's plans include working hand in hand with Howard College and local school districts to train and educate students, including the installation of a solar demo lab for students.

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