CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Planning has begun for Wyoming's first major commercial solar energy project.

The Sweetwater Solar project 15 miles northwest of Green River in southwest Wyoming would generate 80 megawatts, enough electricity for 12,000 homes.

The project area of solar panels, roads, power lines and other facilities would encompass about a square mile of public land. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management will take initial public comments on the project over the next month.

Chris Petrie with the Wyoming Public Service Commission says other solar installations in Wyoming feed electricity onto the grid but none is close to this big.

Most big solar projects are in the Southwest and Southeast but increasing efficiency is making solar feasible elsewhere.

Sweetwater Solar, LLC, is a subsidiary of the South Korean conglomerate Hanwha Group.

More From KGAB