New US Solar Power Plant features soil and habitat restoration.

The article highlights a new 100-megawatt solar power plant project in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, which exemplifies the convergence of renewable energy demand, local cooperative involvement, and sustainable land management. The project is tied to Meta’s data center development at Sage Mill Industrial Park, with Silicon Ranch as the solar developer. This initiative is part of Meta’s broader strategy, marking its 18th solar project with Silicon Ranch across four states, totaling over 1,500 megawatts of capacity. The plant aims to address growing energy needs while supporting a potential solar resurgence in South Carolina, a state that has seen fluctuating solar development in recent years. A key aspect of the project is its connection to the rural electric cooperative network, specifically the Central Electric Power Cooperative and its 19 local member cooperatives. These cooperatives play a crucial role in delivering electricity to rural areas, continuing a legacy from the Great Depression era when rural communities organized their own power providers. The collaboration between Silicon Ranch