SunEdison, Inc. (NYSE: SUNE), has completed construction of the 6 megawatt AC Bella Vista solar facility that will generate electricity for Florida’s Lakeland Electric.
The solar power plant is forecast to generate approximately 14 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity each year, enough to power more than 1,300 homes. The facility will avoid the emission of more than 9,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
This is the fourth project SunEdison has constructed for Lakeland Electric and another two are being developed under a Master Agreement; for a grand total of 24MW. All projects are expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter in 2016.
“Lakeland Electric is a forward thinking, pragmatic utility company,” said Paul Gaynor, SunEdison’s executive vice president of the Americas and EMEA. “With the Bella Vista solar project, and two other projects that are currently being developed, Lakeland and its customers will have access to clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy for years to come.”
Joel Ivy, Lakeland Electric’s general manager, said the company was excited to expand its renewable energy portfolio and that the accompanying power purchase agreement (solar PPA) with SunEdison will enable Lakeland Electric to provide its customers with predictably priced, low-cost electricity.
“Our customers told us they wanted renewable energy and our partnership with SunEdison ensures this happens on time and on budget.”
Lakeland Electric services more than 120,000 customers and is the third largest publicly owned utility in Florida. The utility was also one of the first established in Florida; having started operation in 1889.
The utility also offers an innovative solar hot water program whereby customers are not required to pay anything up front and are instead charged a flat monthly fee for use of a solar hot water system.
SunEdison’s yieldco, TerraForm Power, Inc. (Nasdaq: TERP), acquired Bella Vista upon completion. Ongoing operation and maintenance of the Bella Vista power generation facility will be performed by SunEdison services.
Image Credit : City Of Lakeland
