Officials broke ground on Wednesday for what will be one of the U.S.' largest solar farms: 71,000 solar panels on a 100-acre farm in southern New Jersey that will generate 20 megawatts of power when operating in Spring 2011.

Located in Pilesgrove, about 20 miles from Wilmington, Delaware, the solar farm will be co-developed by Panda Power Funds of Dallas and Con Edison Development of Valhalla, New York, according to AP.

New Jersey state officials have long been pushing solar energy, and additional projects are anticipated.

"We've been in lots of states," Panda Power President Todd Carter told New Jersey dignitaries in attendance at the groundbreaking. "We do think you're the best."

Robert Mennella, Con Edison Development Chief Operating Officer, said New Jersey offers many attractions including state incentives and flat land that's relatively inexpensive. The sites' proximity to power substations and large populations in Philadelphia and New York metropolitan areas is also a significant factor.

The new plant will create about 100 construction jobs but no more than three maintenance jobs once the facility is functioning. The only active farm that's larger is the one in Arcadia, Florida generating 25 megawatts, which opened last year. Many additional solar projects across the nation are in various stages of completion.