By Garrett Whitton
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- A local solar energy company has proposed a project to contribute to Albemarle County's Climate Action plan.
Hexagon Energy, based in Charlottesville, proposed a 138-megawatt solar project in the southern part of the county.
The entire site would include more than 2,000 acres off Route 708 and would power 25,000 homes each year.
The solar farm would create nearly 250 jobs during construction and five positions once it's up and running.
On Wednesday night, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors heard about the pros and cons of the project.
It received overwhelming support from the public and the board members themselves.
It was unanimously approved.
"I think it is going to set us up for a standard across the Commonwealth of what we can do and what can be done. Is it going to be the perfect solution in the long run, in 50 years? No. But, you have to start somewhere," said Supervisor Bea LaPisto-Kirtley.
According to Hexagon Energy, this single project will allow the county to meet more than 20 percent of its 2050 net-zero electricity emissions reduction goals.
It will also help protect the environment by restoring hundreds of acres of land for wetlands and meadows.