Pattern Energy Group announced it has completed construction and begun operations at its 83 MWac Phoenix Solar Project located in Fannin County, Texas.
Phoenix Solar utilizes the components including First Solar Series 6 modules and NEXTracker NX Horizon trackers. Mortenson Construction provided engineering and construction services for the solar power project. Phoenix Solar has a 65 MWac, 12-year power purchase agreement with Digital Realty.
Digital Realty’s renewable procurement to date includes 100 percent renewable energy for its European data center portfolio, 100 percent wind power for its U.S. colocation business unit and 100 percent carbon-free and renewable power supplied to several Northern California and Illinois properties. In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized Digital Realty as one of the top 100 buyers of renewable energy in the country.
More than 200 jobs were created during construction of the new solar power facility. Phoenix Solar is providing strong benefits for Fannin County, which will recognize both immediate and long-term economic infusions from the project.
“This new solar facility is creating strong benefits with more than $15 million in revenue for Fannin County and the local schools, while producing clean power for 20,000 homes,” said Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Energy.
The new solar facility is projected to provide more than $12 million in new tax revenue to the Bonham Independent School District and more than $3 million to Fannin County over the life of the project. Additionally, it will contribute revenue in the form of long-term lease payments to project landowners.
The Phoenix Solar facility expands Pattern Energy’s existing operating platform in Texas to a total of 1,037 MW of clean power in operation at six facilities across the state. Pattern Energy recently repowered its Gulf Wind Facility in Kenedy County with new turbines.