New solar photovoltaic project coming to Bakersfield

Thursday, Nov 27 2014 02:23 PM

BY THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., a renewable energy company, announced plans Monday to bring a 10-megawatt solar photovoltaic project to Bakersfield next year.

The project, named Bakersfield II Solar, will be located on 64 acres of land next to a 20-megawatt project already in the works in Bakersfield.

It's called Bakersfield I Solar.

Both projects rely on a method of converting sunlight into electricity.

The addition is the product of a 20-year purchase agreement signed Sept. 22 between Algonquin Power and a California based electric utility company, not identified in a Algonquin Power news release.

Officials could not be contacted Thursday to provide additional details.

Chief Executive Officer Ian Robertson of Algonquin Power wrote in the release the expansion is a sign of continued growth of solar power generation at the company.

"The low annual production variability associated with solar electrical generation continues to contribute to de-risking and diversifying our portfolio," he wrote.

Bakersfield I Solar is expected to start commercial operations in the first quarter of 2015.

Construction of Bakersfield II Solar is expected to begin in mid-2015.

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. still needs to finalize construction contracts and get receipt of local permits. Commercial operation is planned to begin in the first quarter of 2016.

http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.com/local/breaking-news/x1952133562/New-solar-photovoltaic-project-coming-to-Bakersfield