Austin Energy Moves Closer Towards Its Renewable Energy Targets
Publicly-owned utility Austin Energy is now receiving power from its first utility-scale solar installation.
Located in Webberville, Texas, the Webberville Solar project is comprised of 127,000 Trina Solar photovoltaic (PV) modules that combine to create a 30 MW of power.
The project, which was initially owned and developed by Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) broke ground on construction in May 2011. FRV sold its U.S. subsidiary, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, Inc. (FRV U.S.), to MEMC Electric Materials Inc. in August 2011.
Therefore, MEMC's solar subsidiary SunEdison now owns the Webberville Solar project and the 25 year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Austin Energy. The project represents the largest operational solar installation in Texas and the largest installation delivering power to a public utility.
According to Austin Energy, the Webberville facility has been online since late December 2011, but the ribbon cutting ceremony this past Friday marked the solar farm's official opening.
Austin Energy will now add 30 MW to its growing renewable energy portfolio. The company is working towards meeting both Texas' mandated Renewable Portfolio Standard requiring utilities to source a combined 5,880 MW from renewables by 2015 and its own renewable energy goal of sourcing 35% of its electric generation from renewables by 2020.
According to Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, "the Webberville Solar Project exemplifies Austin's leadership and investment in a clean energy future."
And the city's electric utility seems to be making good on that statement. The company has set itself up to have a great year as it steps towards its renewable energy targets.
In September, Austin Energy signed a PPA with Duke Energy Corp. to buy all of the energy generated at the 202 MW Los Vientos II wind farm. And, in November, Southern Company received the first feedstock shipment for its new 100 MW biomass facility which is also under a PPA with Austin Energy. Both projects are slated to be fully operational in 2012.
Image Credit: Mountain/\Ash via Flickr
Joseph Baker is a freelance writer living in Vancouver BC. His areas of focus include renewable energy, sustainability and climate change.
Any opinion contained in this article is solely that of the writers, and does not necessarily shapes or reflect the editorial opinions of Energy Boom.
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