Delaware
Sussex County solar farm to power 750 homes, supporting Delaware's clean energy targets
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For years, the energy powering Sussex County came from far beyond its borders — sent in through a vast network of infrastructure stretching across Delaware. But a new 9,000-module solar array built just off Trap Pond Road in Georgetown, Delaware marks a significant shift in how the state generates, distributes and democratizes electricity.
“We have very little in the way of generation in Sussex County,” said Democratic state Sen. Stephanie Hansen, who represents parts of Newcastle County.
Hansen said energy distribution from the solar farm will be much more efficient than relying on electricity sent from distant power plants.
“Most of the energy that we use comes from outside of our states, and most of the energy that we actually generate in-state comes from way north of here,” Hansen said. “That has to be transported down here … and it comes at, oftentimes, when it’s really hot, when it’s really cold — congestion pricing, where there are losses of the energy that you get from just traveling that distance.”
Now, with the launch of a new project by community solar developers Nautilus Solar Energy and TurningPoint Energy, Sussex County residents who wouldn’t have had access to rooftop solar can benefit from carbon-free energy and discounted rates. The site, located on a 35.6-acre property, will generate 4.7 megawatts of power and is surrounded by a 25-foot-wide landscaped buffer. It’s the first of six planned community solar installations that TurningPoint expects to develop, which would generate 30 megawatts of power across the state.
Power from the project will start flowing in a couple of months, benefitting roughly 750 households and small businesses. Low-income households will receive a 20% discount on their electric bills, while others will benefit from a 10% cut.
“Delaware did a very good job in how they designed this program,” said Eric LaMora, vice president of community solar for Nautilus. “Every project, at least 15% of the energy goes to benefit low-income households.”
Lamora said the company’s two other projects in the area will direct 50% of the power to Delmarva Power’s low-income customers.
Delaware’s community solar initiative is part of a broader climate strategy. Under its Climate Action Plan, the state has committed to sourcing 40% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035 — including a dedicated goal of 10% from solar. It also aims to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
The project’s financing benefited from federal solar tax credits, which expanded under the Biden administration to help jump-start the green energy economy and tackle climate change. The program permits community solar project developers to pass savings on to low-income customers.
“[The tax credits] allow us to leverage our capital to build more projects offering discounted electricity to a greater number of households and support the growing demand for electricity,” LaMora said.
Delaware
Local police departments earn state accreditation
The Delaware Police Officer Standards and Training Commission recently announced that the Dewey Beach Police Department and Rehoboth Beach Police Department have both earned state accreditation from the Delaware Police Accreditation Commission.
As part of the rigorous process, a team of DPAC assessors ensured all accreditation standards were met by completing comprehensive, on-site inspections of each agency, reviewing their policies and procedures for compliance, and conducting interviews with department members.
“This milestone represents a significant step forward for public safety in Delaware. The initial state accreditation of these police agencies reflects a strong commitment to professionalism, accountability and excellence in law enforcement. I commend each department for their dedication to serving their communities with integrity and for upholding the highest standards,” said Joshua Bushweller, Department of Safety and Homeland Security secretary and DPAC chair.
Delaware
DDA inducts three Delaware Century Farms – 47abc
Dover, Del. – Three farms, one from each of Delaware’s counties, were inducted into the Century Farm Program by the state Department of Agriculture on Thursday at the Delaware Agricultural Museum.
Each of the family farms has been owned and operated for at least a century. Each received a sign for their farms, an engraved plate and legislative tributes.
In addition to Secretary of Agriculture, Don Clifton, and Deputy Secretary Jimmy Kroon, state Senators David Wilson (R – District 18) and Kyra Hoffner (D – District 14) were also in attendance.
Wright Family Farms are located in Harrington in Kent County. In 1919, the farm was purchased by William Wright. Over a century later, William’s grandson, Ronald, is the owner and his great-grandson, Greg, said he hopes to continue the family legacy by buying the farm from his father.
Although the event celebrated each family for their hard work and resilience, it also highlighted the challenges farmers have to surmount to stay in business today, let alone for a hundred years.
“The price of equipment, the price of fertilizer, the price of seed, everything is just gone up,” Greg said. “So, you know, everything’s going up that we gotta purchase just to stay in business.”
Clifton, Kroon and Wilson also echoed difficulties in balancing the need to preserve agricultural land with the need to develop housing and sustainable energy projects like solar power.
“I know housing is very important, and we want people to always have good housing, but at some point, I think you’re going to saturate the area with more houses than you have food to feed these people,” Wilson said.
Kroon also said there are difficulties in keeping future generations motivated to stay in farming.
“When you think about it in the context of multi-generational farm families, there’s a real long-term challenge where a new generation may think twice about whether they want to keep farming if it’s always a struggle,” he said.
Clifton said farming has always been a challenging way of life, but it has been so since time immemorial.
“These families, their experience shows that they have an appreciation for the way of life and perseverance and that’s to be honored and emulated to the greatest extent possible,” he said.
Greg said he hopes to pass down the way of life so that his family legacy can live on for another hundred years, as well as for other families.
“A hundred years as the same family tilling the land, that’s, you know, that’s an honor right there,” Greg said. “And I hope that more farmers who are close to 100 years old will be doing the same thing. You know, keep it in the family.”
Delaware
Investigation underway after man’s body pulled from Delaware River
An investigation is underway after police said a man’s body was pulled from the Delaware River in South Philadelphia.
According to police, around 9 a.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, emergency responders pulled an unidentified man from the Delaware River, near the Navy Yard. Medic’s pronounced the man dead at 9:11 a.m.
Léelo en español aquí.
SkyForce10 flew above as police and other first responders were on the scene.
NBC10
NBC10
Police are working to determine the circumstances of the incident and identify the man.
This is a developing story; check back here for updates.
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