The Mannington Township in New Jersey is home to just over 1,500 people, 575 households, according to the 2000 United States census. And it will soon be home to a large utility-scale solar farm that will produce more than enough electricity for that many people.

The township approved the new 10-megawatt Cedar Solar farm in Salem County on Monday, according to a press release from Lincoln Renewable Energy.

It’s the second major utility-scale solar project Lincoln is building in New Jersey. The first, NJ Oak Solar, is already underway in neighboring Cumberland County. That project was approved in October, according to the release. It will also produce 10 megawatts of power when completed and online.

New Jersey has been extremely proactive in bringing, approving and incentivizing clean energy projects, said Lincoln spokesman Joe Poulos. And the company has actively pursued large projects there. It opened a regional office in Woodstown, N.J., earlier this year.

“As far as the impact on the town,” Poulos said. “I know the project is expected to create about 100 jobs there.”

The area of New Jersey where Lincoln Renewable Energy will build this project is known as quaint and “cute” with colonial homes and old world charm. It’s situated between New York City and the New Jersey shore on a popular commuter route for beach-goers.

"We thank the Planning Board and the community of Mannington for recognizing the benefits that solar farms can bring to rural communities," Lincoln Renewable Energy CEO Declan Flanagan was quoted in a press release. "However, we recognize that solar projects must be designed carefully to fit with the rural character of the communities where they're located. We have worked closely with the community on the project's design and will continue that close cooperation as we move toward construction."

The project is planned for a 129-acre site within Mannington Township, according to the release. Lincoln will begin construction on the site in early 2011. The project is expected to create about 100 construction positions that will last through the duration of the six-month construction phase, according to the release.

The cost of the project is $60 million.

Image courtesy of Lincoln Renewable Energy.