The recent development is part of SCE’s 500MW solar rooftop project, approved by the California Public Utilities Commission in June 2009. Under the project, SCE will own and operate half of the 500MW, while other half will be developed by independent power producers who secure contracts through competitive solicitations process.
Upon completion, the 500MW solar project, which will cover an area totaling four square miles on about 250 warehouse roofs, will generate enough electricity to serve 325,000 average homes at a point in time. The project is expected to create about 1,200 jobs for Southern Californians.
Marc Ulrich, vice president of renewable and alternative power at SCE, said: “These contracts make significant strides toward distributed renewable generation for one of the most innovative solar programs in the country.
“We’re working to help California meet its Million Solar Roofs goal and supply even more renewable energy to our customers where and when it’s most needed, without the added time and expense to construct major new transmission facilities.”
