US-based NRG Energy has begun commercial operations at the 66MW Alpine solar generating station in California.
The project was executed by NRG subsidiary, NRG Solar, with the Pacific Gas & Electric company set to purchase the electricity produced by the facility under a 20-year power purchase agreement.
The Alpine array is expected to produce enough energy to cater to the energy requirements of 53,000 homes annually and displace approximately 36,000t of carbon dioxide emissions.
NRG Solar senior vice president Randy Hickok said that such projects provide cost effective renewable sources of electricity for local utilities and create construction jobs.
“Large-scale solar generation like Alpine and other NRG solar sites provide clean energy during the hottest part of the day when it’s needed most, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and the resulting carbon emissions,” Hickok added.
Pacific Gas and Electric energy procurement senior vice president Fong Wan stated, “The Alpine Solar Generating Station will help PG&E grow its clean energy portfolio and make progress towards California’s 33 percent renewable energy goal.”