Commercial operation has begun at California’s largest solar power project after NRG Solar and Eurus Energy America activated their 45MW Avenal Solar Generating Facility in Kings County.
The facility was developed by Eurus and the electricity produced will be sold to Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) under separate 20-year power purchase agreements. When operating at full capacity, the three systems that make up Avenal – Avenal Park, Sun City and Sand Drag – comprised of around 450,000 Sharp tandem-junction amorphous silicon modules, will generate enough electricity to cater to the energy requirements of 36,000 Kings County homes.
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The project cost approximately $220 million, according to Eurus.
“Only two years ago, NRG began its expansion into solar power by bringing online the largest photovoltaic plant in California at that time – today, we repeat that accomplishment by commencing operations at Avenal,” said Tom Doyle, president of NRG’s Solar and West Region. “We are excited to celebrate the success of our partnership with Eurus as we advance the development of solar power in California to help meet the state’s ambitious renewable energy goals.”
“Eurus Energy is committed to bringing well-located and highly-viable renewable energy projects on-line in a responsible and timely manner,” added Mark Anderson, president and CEO of Eurus Energy America. “Our ability to deploy capital and generate jobs locally in California while also helping the State in its drive towards a clean energy based economy is due to the collective efforts of many, including Kings County, the City of Avenal and PG&E.”