East Blackland Solar Project

The East Blackland Solar Project, also known as the Pflugerville Solar Farm, is a 144 megawatt (MW) alternating current (AC) solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant near Pflugerville, Texas. Originally a 60 MWAC plant, a ceremonial ground breaking was announced in December 2010 with completion expected in June 2013,[1] but construction start was delayed until July 2020, because no buyer for the electricity was available for contract.[2]

East Blackland Solar Project (aka Pflugerville Solar Farm)
Map
Official nameEast Blackland Solar Project
CountryUnited States
Location17025 Manda Carlson Rd, Manor, Texas
Coordinates30°26′04″N 97°27′32″W / 30.43444°N 97.45889°W / 30.43444; -97.45889
StatusUnder construction
Construction beganAugust 18, 2020
Construction cost$234 million
OwnerDuke Energy
Solar farm
TypeFlat-panel PV
Site area941
Power generation
Nameplate capacity144 MW

RRE Mehta Power was the original developer on the project. The current developer is Recurrent Energy, LLC, a division of Canadian Solar. CIT Group arranged for financing of $162 million of the $234 million project, which finally broke ground in July 2020. Austin Energy will buy electricity generated by the project under the terms of a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA).[3][4]

The system was sold to Duke Energy in 2020, before construction was completed.[5] The project will begin operating in January 2024.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Panasonic signs on for Pflugerville solar farm". Austin Business Journal. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  2. ^ Walsh, Sean Collins. "Company's solar farm deal not fried yet". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  3. ^ Oldman, Iain (18 December 2018). "Austin Energy agrees to purchase power from upcoming solar farm in east Pflugerville". Community Impact Newspaper. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  4. ^ Bates, Michael (18 August 2020). "CIT Serves as Lead Arranger for East Blackland Solar Project". solarindustrymag.com. Zackin Publications Inc. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  5. ^ Clarion Energy Content Directors (7 January 2021). "Duke Energy Renewables acquiring 144-MW Pflugerville Solar farm under construction in Texas". www.power-eng.com. POWER Engineering. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  6. ^ Boraks, David (29 July 2021). "Duke Solar Project In Texas Helps Austin With Its Climate Goals". WFAE 90.7. WFAE. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
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