Group eyeing new solar photovoltaic plant

CLE ELUM, Wash., July 10 (UPI) -- The Teanaway Solar Reserve says it would like to build a solar photovoltaic power plant near Cle Elum, Wash.

Teanaway director Howard Trott said his company has already leased 400 acres and is awaiting approval from Kittitas County officials before starting construction on the 75-megawatt power plant, The Seattle Times said Friday.

"As a privately held company, we are able to move quickly and have the resources to get this done," said Trott, who did not identify the investors in the more than $100 million power project.

Trott said the plant would be the largest of its type in the world and would be capable of producing enough electricity to power 45,000 homes.

The Times said if all goes as planned, Trott estimates the plant could be operational in nearly 18 months.

"If we can do this in the Pacific Northwest, we are hopeful this will launch other large-scale solar projects around the U.S.," he said