Plan for biggest solar project in the U.S.

ALLENTOWN, Pa., May 13 (UPI) -- PPL Renewable Energy announced plans for the largest U.S. rooftop solar installation.

The firm will design, construct and operate a 1.7-megawatt solar system for Schering-Plough Corp. in Summit, N.J.

"PPL continues to increase its investment in renewable energy projects with a varied and growing portfolio of projects throughout New Jersey, the mid-Atlantic and New England," said Paul T. Champagne, president of PPL Energy Services Group.

This project will put PPL's total installed capacity at about 10 megawatts, and the company said it will continue to explore partnership opportunities to develop additional solar energy projects in markets managed by PJM Interconnection.

The solar system will be built on eight rooftops on buildings throughout Schering-Plough's campus in Summit. Using solar power will enable Schering-Plough to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, helping the New Jersey company reach its goal of reducing emissions by 5 percent by 2012. The system is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 1.3 million pounds each year. The project is expected to be operating by the end of 2008.

Over the next five years, PPL has plans to invest $100 million in new renewable energy projects, including solar, landfill gas and biomass plants. PPL Renewable Energy, a subsidiary of PPL Corp., develops, owns, operates and maintains renewable energy projects in the northeastern United States.