COVENTRY - A developer plans to build the largest solar energy project east of the Mississippi in Coventry, on land that gained infamy in the 1970s as an illegal hazardous waste dump.

In a news conference planned for 3 p.m. tomorrow at the R.I. State House, Allco Renewable Energy Group Limited LLC will unveil details of the $45 million solar-energy farm it proposes for 90 acres of the former Picillo Pig Farm in western Coventry.

The solar field would produce an estimated 6 to 8 megawatts annually – enough electricity “to power a small town,” said Bill Fischer, a spokesman for Allco.

At tomorrow’s press conference, the company will sign a letter of intent with Coventry officials under which Allco would enter into a long-term lease to build on the town-owned land. Under the proposed deal, Allco would pay Coventry 4 percent of gross revenue generated by the project or $200,000 annually, whichever is greater, Fischer said.

As part of the arrangement with Coventry, Allco will also be allowed to construct a meteorological tower that will determine whether the site is also suitable for wind turbines. Ultimately, the project could be designed as a combined solar and wind farm, Fischer said.

Allco will seek legislation that would enable it to sell electricity generated by the project to National Grid under a long-term contract of at least 20 years, he said.

If the General Assembly passes the legislation this spring, before lawmakers adjourn for the summer, Allco could begin generating electricity in Coventry by the end of the year, Fisher said.

About 10 acres in a back corner of the 100-acre site are still under remediation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which has worked for decades to clean up an estimated 10,000 drums of hazardous waste that was illegally dumped at the site more than three decades ago.

Allco’s development of the site would not unearth any hazardous materials, Fischer said.

The illegal dumping at the former pig farm was discovered in 1977 when the site literally exploded into an inferno that reportedly could be seen for miles. The brownfield area became Rhode Island’s first Superfund site.

Allco Renewable Energy Group Limited LLC is a New York-based development and investment firm focusing on renewable energy projects including wind, biomass and solar power. To learn more, visit www.AllcoRenewableEnergy.com.