Friday was a powerful day for the Halifax Electric Membership Corporation as it turned the switch on its Bright Star 1 Green Energy Plant.

The plant, made up of solar panels, is located off Highway 481 outside Enfield and now feeds into the company’s power grid, said Charles Guerry, vice president and general manager.

It can provide 15 percent of the power to Inborden Middle School, which is located beside the plant.

This is the first solar power plant in Halifax County, said Cathy Scott, county economic development director.

“Energy efficiency is the top priority of the General Assembly,” said state Representative Angela Bryant at a ceremony to commission the plant.

Bryant said the state’s goal is to require a certain amount of energy to be produced through renewable resources and the plant was the result of Senate Bill 3. “We want all our energy bills to be reduced in homes, schools and business. (Halifax Electric) took a small step in being a leader in this area.”

‘Guerry told the audience, “This was the right thing to do. Senate Bill 3 has certain requirements.”

The company began building the facility in August and was helped with financing through BB&T.