E.ON Solar, a subsidiary of E.ON SE, has completed the construction of the 20MW Maricopa West solar project located in Southern California. The solar project, which was completed ahead of schedule and under budget, utilizes single-axis tracking and consists of 89,000 PV panels. It will start fully operating soon.
The construction of Maricopa West solar project created 160 jobs the Kern County. It occupies land purchased by E.ON Solar within the Maricopa Sun Solar Complex, a 4,000- acre solar park near Taft, Calif. The complex has obtained a conditional use permit from Kern County, an incidental take permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and a habitat conservation plan under Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The habitat conservation plan for the Maricopa Sun solar complex is among the first of its kind granted by the USFWS.
"We worked closely with U.S. Fish and Wildlife and California Fish and Wildlife to get to the point of a shovel ready project," said Jeff Roberts of Maricopa Sun. "We are also very grateful for the efforts of federal, state and local officials in Kern County for supporting the complex from day one. The Kern County Planning Department deserves special recognition for encouraging our project through unchartered waters."
The completion of Maricopa West solar project demonstrates E.ON Solar’s expertise, technology, engineering and construction plans for developing solar power in the world.