E.ON Solar completes 20 MW solar project in Southern California

E.ON Solar, a subsidiary of E.ON SE, has announced that Maricopa West, a 20 MW (AC) solar project located in Southern California, has completed the construction phase and is set to become fully operational.

The Maricopa West solar project will utilize single-axis tracking and consist of 89,000 photovoltaic panels. It occupies land purchased by E.ON Solar within the Maricopa Sun Solar Complex, a 4,000- acre solar park near Taft, Calif. 

Steve Trenholm, CEO, E.ON Solar, stated:

"The completion of Maricopa West, ahead of schedule and under budget, demonstrates the E.ON Solar team's expertise in developing best-in-class projects, as well as our continued success in collaborating with technology, engineering and construction partners, and local, state, and federal officials. We are also proud that the construction of Maricopa West provided a boost to the Kern County economy by creating 160 jobs for electricians, iron workers, laborers and other trades."

The complex has obtained a conditional use permit from Kern County, an incidental take permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and a habitat conservation plan under Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The habitat conservation plan for the Maricopa Sun solar complex is among the first of its kind granted by the USFWS.

Jeff Roberts of Maricopa Sun said:

"We worked closely with U.S. Fish and Wildlife and California Fish and Wildlife to get to the point of a shovel ready project. We are also very grateful for the efforts of federal, state and local officials in Kern County for supporting the complex from day one. The Kern County Planning Department deserves special recognition for encouraging our project through unchartered waters."

Trenholm added:

"The future for E.ON Solar is bright, as evidenced by our successful completion of projects in California and Arizona, and our track-record of creating clean, reliable energy that doesn't use water in the production of electricity, creates more jobs and helps to address America's energy resource and security needs."