Southern Company subsidiary Southern Power has acquired the Pawpaw Solar Facility from Longview Solar LLC, marking the company’s fifth solar acquisition in Georgia. The 30MW solar project will consist of approximately 137,000 polycrystalline solar modules from Trina Solar mounted on single-axis tracking tables manufactured by NEXTracker. With the acquisition, Southern Power is continuing on its target of developing a total of 385MW of solar generation in the state.
Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO Thomas A. Fanning, commented, "This investment increases our fuel diversity and builds on our commitment to create better lives and a better energy future for America."
Longview Solar LLC is a joint venture between Elemental Energy Inc. and TUUSSO Energy, LLC. It was selected by Southern Company subsidiary Georgia Power through the nationally recognized Georgia Power Advanced Solar Initiative to build the 30MW Pawpaw Solar facility, which will be located on approximately 416 acres in Taylor County, Georgia. The electricity and associated renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by the facility will be sold under a 30-year power purchase agreement with Georgia Power, which will have the option to keep or sell the RECs for the benefit of its customers or renewable energy programs.
Once completed, operation and maintenance will be managed by Southern Power. DEPCOM Power will serve as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor.
Southern Power's renewable energy portfolio of more than 1,200 MW of company-owned generating capacity – either already in operation or under development – was assembled through the strategic development of a total of 17 solar, wind and biomass projects across the United States.
The Pawpaw Solar Facility fits Southern Power's business strategy of growing its wholesale business through the acquisition and construction of generating assets substantially covered by long-term contracts.