Greentech Lead America: Duke Energy Renewables, a business unit of Duke Energy, announced it has acquired a 4.5 megawatt (AC) solar project in San Francisco from solar project developer Recurrent Energy.
The Sunset Reservoir Solar Power Project is the largest solar generation facility in San Francisco.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is purchasing the emissions-free energy under a 25-year power purchase agreement.
The project will grow the company’s solar footprint in California, said Duke Energy Renewables president Greg Wolf. “As this asset continues to contribute to the state and city’s renewable energy goals for years to come, we look forward to being a positive presence in this community.”
“The Sunset Reservoir solar project more than tripled San Francisco’s municipal solar generating capacity,” said Harlan L. Kelly Jr., general manager of the SFPUC. “The renewable, greenhouse gas-free energy from Sunset Reservoir and all of our other facilities help power public buses, the San Francisco International Airport, health clinics, and other vital city services.”
The solar power system, developed and operated by Recurrent Energy since 2010, consists of nearly 24,000 solar panels mounted on top of the Sunset Reservoir. The facility provides electricity for the city and county of San Francisco’s municipal services and facilities.
In April, Duke Energy Renewables acquired the 21-megawatt Highlander solar power projects in Twentynine Palms, Calif. The Sunset Reservoir project adds to Duke Energy Renewables’ more than 100 megawatts of generating capacity at 16 U.S. solar farms.
Since 2007, Duke Energy has invested more than $3 billion to grow its commercial wind and solar business. The company’s growing portfolio of commercial renewable assets includes 15 wind farms and 16 solar farms in operation in 12 states, totaling more than 1,700 megawatts in electric-generating capacity.