The Halifax County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) and Dominion Power, along with an unnamed battery manufacturer, plan to develop a pilot demonstration facility for solar power generation and battery storage. If approved, the proposed facility should be operational in 2012 and would create 150 jobs over three years.

A location for the facility has not been selected, but officials note that the solar panels will need about 30 to 50 acres. The battery manufacturing plant will require about 70,000 square feet, and could be located in an existing building.

The creation of high-paying jobs boosts the local economy and, in turn, helps stabilize the real estate market. Current homeowners are more likely to stay in their homes if they are employed and can make their mortgage payments. 

Read more in The Gazette-Virginian....