A California county approved six solar projects that will generate 150 megawatts of power, representing the first of an anticipated flurry of projects tapping into renewable sources for electricity, according to published reports.

All six projects are in Tulare County and under the purview of Solar Project Solutions. A company official said construction will begin next year and will encompass more than 2,100 acres of land.

Though solar companies are racing to start the projects before the end of the year in order to capitalize on incentives, county officials said they are taking a close look at each project and devoting significant scrutiny to the process to be sure all laws and rules are followed as companies seek the opportunity to capitalize on federal incentives.

"This is not a rubber stamp project," Tulare County Board of Supervisors chairman Steve Worthley told the Porterville Recorder.

Of the six projects, five will generate 20 megawatts of power. The largest of the approved projects will generate 50 megawatts of power and it will encompass 740 acres.