The 115MW El Arrayán facility, which features 50 2.3MW Siemens turbines, is 70% owned by Pattern and the remaining by Chilean mining giant Antofagasta Minerals SA.
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet was quoted by BBC as saying: "This farm is a great example of collaboration between our mining industry and a clean-energy company.
"I hope this project acts as a powerful stimulus for other companies in the mining sector to start opting for this kind of energy."
The $300m solar facility will generate power, of which approximately 70% will be transferred to a large copper mine, Los Pelambres, in the Chilean Andes while the remaining will be sold on the open market.
Additionally, the El Arrayan will provide Los Pelambres with 20% of its energy needs.
Energy Minister Maximo Pacheco said: "Chile needs more generating capacity to bring down fuel prices.
"Chile needs more clean energy and Chile needs more investment. There are enormous investment opportunities in this sector."
The Chilean government aims to provide 45% of new capacity on the national grid from non-conventional sources like wind and solar by 2025.
Image: Chile has some sites that are ideal for wind farms. Photo: courtesy of dan/Freedigitalphotos.net.
