GrowGreen Power Inc., a hybrid agricultural and energy company, plans to build a USD 250 million greenhouse and power-plant project in the Piedmont that would open with at least 300 employees. Sean Lehman, the communications director for GrowGreen Power Inc., said the company expects to select a site within two weeks and begin construction by early fall. The company has offices in Raleigh and Boulder, Colorado. The company plans to begin operations by late summer 2012, with hiring taking place within weeks of completing project construction, Lehman said. The operations will start with a 50-acre hydroponic greenhouse and a 37MW power plant. According to the company, a hydroponic greenhouse is capable of yielding up to 30 times more produce than traditional farming. The solar thermal and biomass power plant is expected to produce 43.65MW of renewable energy, with about 37MW expected to be sold to power companies and placed on the local power grid. The remaining energy will be used to power the greenhouse and power plant, making the center fully sustainable.