Developer Longroad has cut the ribbon at its giant Longroad Sun Streams Complex in Maricopa County, Arizona, in the US.
The development is currently comprised of three projects totalling 862MWdc (665MWac) of solar and 515MWac/2060MWh storage, but when complete, the site will include over 950MWdc of solar and 600MWac/ 500 MWh of storage.
The scheme is made up of the 200MWdc Sun Streams 2, which has been operational since mid-2021, the 285MWdc and 215MWac/860MWh storage site Sun Streams 3, slated to begin operations in 2024, and the 377MWdc solar and 300MWac /1200 MWh storage scheme Sun Streams 4.
The latter is Longroad’s largest project to date, with commercial operations expected by mid-2025.
The Sun Streams 3’s battery yard, which is nearing completion, spans more than 15 acres, with approximately one million battery cells being installed at the site.
The ceremony was attended by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs (third from left), Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) Commissioner Lea Marquez Peterson (fourth from left), and executives from Arizona Public Service, Longroad Energy, McCarthy Building Companies, and US Bancorp Impact Finance.
The developer said the occasion celebrated the progress made to date at the 6000-plus acre solar and storage complex and the many benefits it is delivering to Arizona, including generating clean, solar energy to power 200,000 average American homes, supporting 1000 construction jobs and providing more than $300m in benefits to Arizona schools and communities through its long-term leases with the Arizona State Land Department and tax remittances.
“The Longroad Sun Streams Complex is a powerful example of how responsible land stewardship, and the ambitious expansion of renewable energy infrastructure delivers a wealth of benefits to Arizona citizens,” said Governor Hobbs.
“Revenues of $300m generated through land leases and taxes are directly benefitting Arizona schools and communities.
“The Sun Streams projects will provide a clean energy source to support grid reliability and help ensure Arizona citizens stay cool on the hottest summer days.
“Additionally, Sun Streams is generating family-sustaining construction jobs, and supporting a skilled work force in the clean energy sector that is helping to position our state as a hub for innovation and sustainability.”
Longroad chief executive Paul Gaynor (second left) said: “It was an honor to welcome today Governor Hobbs, Arizona officials, and our valued partners to our flagship Longroad Sun Streams Complex to mark the progress that has been made with this large-scale renewable energy infrastructure and its impact on Arizona.”
“We want to recognise and thank the many officials from the Arizona State Land Department and Maricopa County who have been instrumental in advancing the Sun Streams Complex, which represents over $2bn of investment.
“We are exceedingly proud of what we have collectively been able to achieve, especially the beneficial impacts we are delivering by harnessing Arizona’s powerful solar resource to ensure reliable power during the peak summer months and to reduce emissions, while strengthening the local economy through our leases, taxes, and the jobs we help to create.
“It has been a privilege to work with the state entities and our partners, and we look forward to continued efforts in Arizona as we make strides on the long road to a greener future.”
ACC Commissioner Peterson added: “As Arizona continues to diversify our energy mix with clean generation sources, the Longroad Sun Streams Complex is a great example of the value and progress that large-scale solar energy is bringing to the ratepayers and the state at large.
“The combination of solar paired with extensive battery storage will offer a carbon-free energy solution to address summertime peak demand, supporting energy reliability when Arizonans need it most.”
The total output of the two largest projects in the Complex, Sun Streams 3 and Sun Streams 4, has been purchased by APS via long-term Power Purchase Agreements. The schemes will help support system reliability in Arizona, particularly during the peak demand summer months.
“APS provides around-the-clock service our customers count on, especially during Arizona’s hottest summer days,” said APS vice president of sustainability Ann Becker.
“Our commitment to the Sun Streams Complex project will further strengthen our diverse supply of energy resources in a reliable, clean, and cost-effective way. In addition to solar power generation, the battery storage will capture the sun’s energy to be used during times of the day when customers need it most and the sun is no longer shining.”
McCarthy, whose Renewable Energy team is based in Phoenix, was the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the three projects in the Longroad Sun Streams Complex.
Impact Finance has been the sole tax equity investor for the two largest Sun Streams projects.