Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) and SunPower announced that SSVEC signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with SunPower to build a 20-megawatt (AC) solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Cochise County, Arizona. Expected to be operational by the end of 2016, the plant is anticipated to generate enough electricity to serve the needs of approximately 4,500 homes, based on estimates provided by the Solar Energy Industries Association. 

 

"This SunPower solar power plant supports SSVEC's commitment to community growth and quality of life, and brings us to about 95 percent of the renewable energy goal established by the Arizona Corporation Commission that SSVEC is to meet by 2025," said SSVEC Chief Executive Officer Creden Huber. "SunPower brings a complete solution to solar power plant development and operation that is proven to maximize energy delivery over the long term, optimizing the cost-effective, emission-free solar power that SSVEC provides its customers." 

 

The project is expected to create approximately 125 jobs during construction, which is anticipated to commence in early 2016.