Hello, dear solar energy enthusiasts and aficionados! Welcome back to my blog where we unfold the latest and fascinating developments pertaining to the vast world of solar energy. We continually aim to offer valuable insights that can inform your choice in transitioning to solar, whether you’re researching solar companies or considering solar panels for your home. Today, following a remarkable recent announcement, we dive into a blend of solar and geothermal projects approved in the sunny State of California.
California’s Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has greenlighted five clean energy projects led by Southern California Edison. Among these are three solar power projects with a jaw-dropping total generating capacity of 525 MWac. What’s more intriguing? There are also two unique geothermal ventures woven into this comprehensive renewable energy approach, courtesy of Fervo Energy.
The fact that these Fervo Energy geothermal projects currently stand as the largest geothermal power purchase agreements globally is no small news. At least one of the project facilities will be excitingly coupled with energy storage, based on data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Form EIA-860M.
The solar power projects are projected to pack an AC capacity factor of over 36%, while the Fervo Energy geothermal facilities boast an impressive capacity factor exceeding 82%. This translates into high efficiency, making these projects potentially perfect matches for the State’s mid-term reliability capacity requirement. We see a truly harmonious symbiosis of solar and geothermal here!
Let’s talk about the location of these solar projects. Owned by 174 Power Global LLC, the Atlas Solar V, VI, and X power plants sit neatly in Salome, Arizona. Their critical electricity will be transmitted via the Atlas Solar Tie Line Project, a 500kV transmission line that finally assists in the use of electricity in Blythe, California. This all happens in an active solar development region managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the Arizona State Land Department.
Now, shall we switch to geothermal? The two Fervo facilities are located at the same site in southwest Utah. There’s potential for phenomenal power generation here, particularly with the first 70 MW phase planned to be online by 2026 and a second phase scheduled for 2028.
To top it all off, recent announcements suggest Fervo’s power purchase agreements may range between a satisfactory $0.08 and $0.10 per kWh. More impressively, the company also declared that February drilling times were 70% faster, and 50% cheaper than in 2022.
In conclusion, the solar power industry continues to grow and evolve, offering more diverse and efficient solutions for home solar arrays, and more. As this mixture of three major solar projects and two vast geothermal projects demonstrates, the path to renewable energy is more accessible and dynamic than ever. Stay tuned for more updates in the world of solar and beyond. There’s much to discover, much to learn, and so many reasons to make the switch!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/07/08/california-approves-525-mwac-of-solar-and-320-mw-of-geothermal/
