NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, through its indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries, today announced it has begun construction of two solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on separate sites in southern California. The solar PV systems will be ground mounted on 20-acre privately owned sites in Apple Valley, Calif., and Blythe, Calif.
"We are committed to developing projects that meet customer needs for clean solar energy, whether through distributed solutions or small- and large-scale utility projects," said Andrew Beebe, vice president, Distributed Generation, for NextEra Energy Resources. "These projects will bring emission-free energy to residents of California while helping the state to achieve its renewable energy goals."
The projects are part of the California Renewable Energy Small Tariff (CREST) program, a feed-in tariff program for eligible renewable energy projects under 1.5 MW. Southern California Edison will purchase all of the output from the PV systems under the terms of two 20-year power purchase agreements for each site.
Each site consists of two identical 1.5 MW ground-mounted fixed solar systems with a combined total of approximately 23,000 panels installed. These projects are expected to reach commercial operation by the end of 2014 and in the first quarter of 2015, respectively.
NextEra Energy Resources, LLC (together with its affiliated entities, "NextEra Energy Resources"), is a clean energy leader and is one of the largest wholesale generators of electric power in the U.S., with approximately 18,300 megawatts of generating capacity primarily in 24 states and Canada as of year-end 2013. NextEra Energy Resources, together with its affiliated entities, is the largest generator in North America of renewable energy from the wind and sun.