ASPEN, Colo. (AP) — Colorado county commissioners have approved a land-use application for a 18,000-panel solar facility to help promote green energy.

Aspen Daily News reports that Pitkin County commissioners unanimously approved the request Wednesday citing it as an important step in reducing the region’s reliance on electricity generated by fossil fuels.

Officials say global entity Renewable Energy Systems would build the farm and electricity cooperative Holy Cross Energy would harness energy from the five-megawatt plant to power about 1,000 homes.

Pitkin County officials say the solar farm would be located on vacant property just south of Woody Creek that Aspen Consolidated Sanitation District used to dispose of biosolids.

Officials say the farm would generate little traffic and produce no light, sound or odors.

Opponents say facility would affect the area’s natural view.

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Information from: Aspen Daily News, https://www.aspendailynews.com