Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) has completed construction and reached commercial operation of its 179MW White Wing Ranch solar project in Yuma County, Arizona.
Verizon Communications has supported the development of White Wing Ranch through a long-term PPA. Completion of White Wing Ranch takes LRE’s operating fleet to more than 3.3GW.
The array is located on approximately 1400 acres of privately-owned land and will deliver renewable energy to the bulk electric grid via the 500kV Hoodoo Wash Switchyard.
This is the first of multiple LRE projects planned for Yuma County.
White Wing Ranch created over 200 jobs during peak construction and leveraged Terabase Energy’s innovative Terafab technology.
The project utilises American-made and domestically sourced First Solar Series 7 photovoltaic solar modules, marking the first large-scale deployment of this highly efficient technology, said the developer.
The company added these modules deliver improved efficiency, faster installation and superior lifetime energy performance, representing the next generation of solar technology and offering a lower-carbon alternative to traditional c-Si (crystalline silicon) panels.
LRE chief executive Jason Allen said: “We are pleased to begin operations at White Wing Ranch and support Verizon’s sustainability goals.
“We are excited for the future of renewable energy in the region and are committed to contributing meaningfully to the community throughout the lifespan of the project.”
As part of LRE’s continued commitment to land stewardship, White Wing Ranch utilised innovative land management practices to promote the regeneration of native desert ecosystems, the developer said.
The project is expected to be operational for more than 30 years and will provide significant economic benefits to the community and a substantial property tax base for Yuma County, it added.