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Southern Company subsidiary advances solar development with fifth acquisition in Georgia

<p>Building on one of the nation's largest renewable energy portfolios, Southern Company subsidiary Southern Power has announced the acquisition of the Pawpaw Solar Facility - a 30-megawatt (MW) project - from Longview Solar LLC. With the addition of the company's fifth solar acquisition in Georgia, Southern Power is developing a total of 385-MW of solar generation in the state.</p>
<p>&quot;Southern Company is delivering sustainable energy solutions for the benefit of customers,&quot; said Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO Thomas A. Fanning. &quot;This investment increases our fuel diversity and builds on our commitment to create better lives and a better energy future for America.&quot;</p>
<p>The Pawpaw Solar Facility was initially proposed by Longview Solar LLC - a joint venture of Elemental Energy Inc. and TUUSSO Energy, LLC - and selected by Southern Company subsidiary Georgia Power in a competitive process through the nationally recognized Georgia Power Advanced Solar Initiative.</p>
<p>The electricity and associated renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by the facility will be sold under a 30-year power purchase agreement with Georgia Power, which will have the option to keep or sell the RECs for the benefit of its customers or renewable energy programs.</p>
<p>To be located on approximately 416 acres in Taylor County, Georgia, the Pawpaw Solar Facility is expected to consist of approximately 137,000 polycrystalline solar modules from Trina Solar mounted on single-axis tracking tables manufactured by NEXTracker. Construction is slated to begin this month, and the facility is expected to enter commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2015.</p>
<p>Once completed, operation and maintenance will be managed by Southern Power. DEPCOM Power will serve as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor.</p>
<p>Southern Power's renewable energy portfolio of more than 1,200-MW of company-owned generating capacity - either already in operation or under development - was assembled through the strategic development of a total of 17 solar, wind and biomass projects across the United States.</p>
<p>The Pawpaw Solar Facility fits Southern Power's business strategy of growing its wholesale business through the acquisition and construction of generating assets substantially covered by long-term contracts.</p>