US independent power producer (IPP) Advanced Power has commenced full commercial operation at a 140MW direct current (dc) solar farm in Texas.
The Cutlass solar farm, in the Greater Houston area, first delivered power into the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) system in July 2022.
Following testing, full commercial operation is underway at Cutlass.
Advanced Power will continue as the facility’s asset manager, while SOLV Energy will operate the plant.
Advanced Power and its co-investors, ENEOS Corporation and Fuyo General Lease, own the facility.
Cutlass Solar is Advanced Power’s first operational project out of an 8GW renewable and low-carbon development pipeline across the United States.
Additional projects in the company’s ERCOT pipeline include the 232MW (dc) Oriana solar project with the option to add battery storage.
“Cutlass Solar exemplifies Advanced Power’s continuing growth as a global developer, manager, and owner of modern power infrastructure.
“We are committed to bringing reliable power to growing areas that need it, such as Greater Houston,” said Collin Brown, Advanced Power’s vice president of development based in Houston.
He added: “We are equally pleased to be contributing to the community through tax revenues to support the county and local schools.”
Bechtel was responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction of the facility.
Cutlass Solar sits on a 700-acre site located approximately 40 miles southwest of Houston in Fort Bend County, Texas.
It employs bifacial solar panels provided by JA Solar and technology that includes a ground-mounted single-axis tracking system.