sPower Begins Construction on 45MW Sandstone Solar Project in Florence, Arizona

sPower, a leading renewable energy provider, announced that construction has begun on its 45-megawatt (MW) Sandstone Solar project in Florence, Arizona. The facility is scheduled to start delivering clean, renewable energy by the end of the year under a 21-year power purchase agreement between sPower and SRP.

“sPower’s portfolio is comprised of projects like the Sandstone Solar facility, which are not only environmentally and economically responsible, but which also move the renewables industry forward,” said Ryan Creamer, sPower’s CEO. “We are pleased to partner with SRP in building yet another clean energy facility that supports both of our companies’ sustainability goals.”

The Sandstone project successfully secured required permits and approvals from the Town of Florence and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the project’s Environmental Assessment (EA), greenlighting construction to commence.

“The Sandstone Solar facility illustrates another great way to develop new renewable-energy opportunities,” said Congressman Paul Gosar, who represents the Arizona district where the facility is being built. “The fact that solar power is becoming economical when compared to traditional energy sources means we can achieve our national goal of affordable energy independence and diverse power supplies all with less environmental impact.”

sPower awarded the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract to Swinerton Renewable Energy, who will install more than 182,000 Jinko Solar photovoltaic (PV) modules mounted on a tracking system that follows the sun, allowing the panels to more efficiently capture energy as the sun tracks across the Arizona sky.

Arizona Representative Frank Pratt, Chairman of the House Energy Committee, commented, “Arizona needs an energy portfolio that is diverse and renewable. That’s why the Sandstone Solar project is so important. It will help SRP expand its energy portfolio with additional reliable, affordable and clean energy.”

When fully operational, the Sandstone Solar facility will produce enough green power to reliably supply more than 8,000 homes and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 88,800 metric tons annually – the equivalent of removing nearly 19,000 cars from the road each year or reducing CO₂ emissions from 206,500 barrels of oil consumed.1

“The sPower Sandstone Solar facility will support SRP’s goal to acquire the most cost-effective clean, renewable resources for the benefit of all of our customers,” said Mark Bonsall, SRP general manager and chief executive officer. “The project is an outstanding example of a community-scale solar project and represents a bright future for renewable energy."