Southern Company subsidiary's Garland Solar Facility in California begins operation
<p>Southern Company subsidiary Southern Power and Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc., today announced the commercial operation of the 200-megawatt (MW) Garland Solar Facility in California.</p>
<p>"We are excited to see this facility help meet the energy needs of our wholesale customers," said Southern Power President and CEO Buzz Miller. "The Garland Solar Facility adds to our growing list of renewable achievements in 2016 and is an important piece of our solar portfolio."</p>
<p>Southern Power has announced, acquired or is constructing more than 2,700 MW of renewable generation ownership with 33 solar, wind and biomass projects, including 11 solar projects in California. In all, the Southern Company system has added or announced more than 4,000 MW of renewable energy projects since 2012.</p>
<p>Southern Power is the majority owner of the Garland Solar Facility. Recurrent Energy managed the development of the project and owns the remaining interest. Construction of the facility began in November 2015 on 2,000 acres of land in Kern County, California.</p>
<p>"The completion of the Garland Solar Facility is testament to Southern Power and Recurrent Energy's strong partnership," said Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar Inc. "It has been a historic year for the Recurrent Energy team with 1.2 gigawatts of utility-scale solar projects under construction."</p>
<p>The Garland Solar Facility adds to Southern Company's robust renewable energy portfolio and 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>
<p>The electricity and associated renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by the facility are being sold under two long-term power purchase agreements with Southern California Edison, which will have the option to keep or sell the RECs.</p>
