The new solar photovoltaic project of the US-based electric mobility player is expected to generate 75 Megawatts (MW) at peak solar capacity
Electrify America recently announced the official groundbreaking of Solar Glow 1. A new solar photovoltaic renewable energy generation project in San Bernardino County, California, Solar Glow 1 was announced last year. The company said that it is the result of a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with developer Terra-Gen.
VP (technology) of Electrify America, Rob Barrosa remarked, “Electrify America has always been focused on driving sustainability forward, which extends beyond electric vehicles and charging and into the energy needed to power the EV revolution. Our customers can feel proud that every charge they make on our network is backed by 100% renewable energy, and today’s groundbreaking of Solar Glow 1 showcases our future and represents our company’s values.”
Saying that while the new solar facility is expected to be online after summer, the company noted that all energy delivered to customers on Electrify America’s coast-to-coast public, ultra-fast DC charging network is already backed by 100% renewable energy. This investment is expected to generate 75 Megawatts (MW) at peak solar capacity, or an estimated annual production of 225,000 Megawatt hours.
Through the purchase of environmental certificates and an interim VPPA with Terra-Gen’s existing Solar Energy Generating Systems (SEGS) IX solar thermal plant, Electrify America has committed to a net-zero carbon footprint for energy delivered to drivers charging on its network.
Head of Energy Services at Electrify America, Jigar Shah commented: “The groundbreaking of Solar Glow 1 is an important step towards additional annual renewable energy generation compared to the energy used by over 20,000 American homes annually.
According to Electrify America, it is North America’s largest open electric vehicle fast charging network to enter into a virtual power purchase agreement for new renewable energy generation. It said that this brand new construction contributes to ‘additionality,’ by producing new renewable energy that may not otherwise be available.
Virginia-based Electrify America LLC claims to be the largest open DC fast charging network in the U.S. It is investing over $2 billion in Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure, with the aim to enable millions of Americans to discover the benefits of electric driving and support the build-out of a nationwide network of ultra-fast community and highway chargers that are convenient and reliable.
2007-born Terra-Gen, LLC is a leading U.S. developer, owner, and operator of utility-scale renewable energy projects in North America. Terra-Gen claims to own around 1.7GW of wind, solar and energy storage capacity in operation across 26 renewable power facilities throughout the United States.
