A generations-old Norwich dairy farm is now home to a farm of a different sort.
This week, the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (CMEEC), Norwich Public Utilities (NPU), SolarCity and Brightfields Development cut the ribbon on a 4.7-megawatt array containing more than 15,000 ground-mounted panels located on 15 acres of farmland near Dodd Stadium owned by the Stott family. Work on the site began in November.
The developers said Mountain Ash Solar Farm is the the largest solar and storage project in the state.
SolarCity said the farm is expected to produce enough energy each year to power 8,400 homes.
CMEEC will purchase the energy under a 20-year power purchase agreement with SolarCity. NPU also intends to include solar power in the electric service it provides to its customers, without additional charge.
SolarCity said it is working with officials on another Norwich solar farm, to be located on a former landfill owned by the town. Work on the 2.6-megawatt project is slated for completion later this year, the company said.