Panhandle start-up says it's planning large solar power plant

A Florida Panhandle start-up called Energy Farm Inc. says it plans to build a 74-megawatt, solar photovoltaic power plant on 550 acres in Walton County capable of producing enough electricity to supply power to 12,000 homes. The company said it is finalizing agreements to sell the electricity to Florida utilities. The first phase of construction is slated to start by the end of the year and will begin producing power in 2011. Energy Farm president Shelton Stone, in a news release, said his company is working with "German partners" to develop ways to store after sunset any extra energy generated by the solar plant. Energy Farm said it will unveil more details in Tallahassee next week.