CHICAGO, Aug 03, 2009 -- Xinhua


A Chicago-based utility has moved closer to building the largest urban solar power plant in the United States, the Chicago-based Exelon Corporation said Monday.

Exelon is one of the nations's largest electric utilities. The Exelon solar power plant would consist of more than 30,000 solar panels on a site in Chicago's West Pullman neighborhood.

Exelon says it would generate enough electricity to power about 1,200 homes.

The Chicago city council has approved a lease for the vacant industrial site, which is considered a brownfield.

The plant may have local support, but it will still take a major federal commitment to make it happen.

Exelon says the project depends on government guarantees for some 50 million U.S. dollars in loans, about 80 percent of the cost.

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