In response to the soaring solar generation capacity in the United States, construction began recently on the largest planned solar energy farm in the country, the Samson Solar Energy Center.
Eartn911 reported, upon completion, the solar company "will have 1,013 megawatts for generating capacity."
More so, the said solar farm will substantially be larger than the 690 MW Gemini solar project that has a battery storage being constructed outside of Las Vegas. This is the country's largest solar project.
Invenergy is developing Samson solar farm to span three Northeast Texan countries near the border of Oklahoma. The project will generate an approximated 600 construction jobs and roughly $450 million in tax revenue and payments for lease. Developers currently plan construction in five phases and is expecting to complete the project by 2023.
When it comes to production of renewable energy in the US, Texas is considered a leader because of its outstanding solar and wind energy resources.
The said report specified that the state leads in the country when it comes to installation of wind energy capacity "and trails California for installed solar energy capacity."
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Solar panels are mounted atop the roof of the Los Angeles Convention Center on September 5, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The solar array of 6,228 panels is expected to generate 3.4 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year.
Companies to Purchase the Energy
Companies have already signed virtual PPAs or Power Purchase Agreements for the solar electricity of Samson.
According to Invenergy's Senior Vice President of Origination Ted Romaine, the Samson Solar Energy Center is the most recent example of what can be attained when firms and utilities search for an innovative partner "to meet their sustainability goals and invest in a clean energy future."
The biggest share, 500 MW, the said report indicated, will go to AT&T, which claimed it would be the biggest corporate American solar deal to date. Such an agreement is a big step ahead in the goal of AT&T to be "carbon neutral" by year 2035.
The multifaceted plan comprises shifting to a low-emissions fleet, increasing energy efficiency and purchase of carbon offsets.
Additionally, Honda has an agreement as well, for 200 MW, 160 MW for McDonald's, and 100 MW for Google. Other companies such as Google, Honda and Google have already been considered leaders in use of renewable energy.
Top American Energy Buyers of 2019
The Renewable Energy Buyer's Alliance Top U.S. Energy Buyers of 2019 showed Google ranking second, "AT&T third, McDonald's ninth, and Honda 10th."
Industry leaders have helped paved the way with sourcing renewable energy, due partly, to consumer and investor worry over "dirty energy powering data centers."
Even though consumer demand for sustainability may be a major factor, solar PPAs provide many other physical financial benefits to businesses.
They enable firms to lock in their energy rates for a 20-year period maximum, decreasing price volatility. In some circumstances, PPAs give businesses access too, to a broader range of power producers compared to simply the local utility.
Renewable Energy PPAs
Renewable energy PPAs enable firms to increase procurement for renewable energy minus having wind turbines or solar panels on their properties or requiring to manage assets.
Some companies use an excessive quantity of energy and may not have sufficient roof space in sunny areas to adequately power their solar energy operations
Such agreements are quite tangible too, and legally-binding way to show a commitment to use of clean energy. Even though a lot of companies are setting rigorous goals for reducing emissions or sourcing renewable energy, contract-signing demonstrates genuine action.
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