Avangrid Inc. has completed the installation of all modules at its Camino solar park in Kern County, California. Over the last four months, the company has installed about 105,000 solar modules.
Camino Solar Park Powers 14,000 Homes and Creates Local Jobs
The Camino Solar Park will have a capacity of 44 MWac (57 MWdc) and is anticipated to produce enough energy to power approximately 14,000 average U.S. homes. Its construction is creating around 100 jobs, with nearly all positions filled by residents.
“This is great progress for our first solar energy project in California, and I am happy to see us move into the next construction phase. Projects like this are important economic drivers in their local communities, bringing jobs and generating tax revenue that wouldn’t be there otherwise. Of course, Camino adds to our growing fleet of renewable energy projects that are key to fighting climate change and accelerating the energy transition.” said Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO.
Camino Solar Park to Generate $15 Million in Taxes
The project is projected to generate approximately $15 million in state and local taxes over its lifetime. These factors highlight the beneficial effects of renewable energy projects on local economies.
Camino Solar Park (Image: Collected)
Although solar module installation is finished, Avangrid is still working on other aspects of the project, such as collector systems, electrical wiring and commissioning activities, ahead of grid production which is anticipated next year.
Camino Solar Park is being built adjacent to Avangrid's 189 MW Manzana wind farm, established in 2012. The project spans a mix of private land and over 200 acres of public land managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Once construction is finished, Camino will be Avangrid's tenth solar project and its first in California.
Avangrid: A Leader in U.S. Sustainable Energy
Avangrid Inc. aims to be the leading sustainable energy provider in the United States. The company has around $45 billion in assets and operates in 24 states. Avangrid focuses on two main areas: networks and renewables. Its networks division manages eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving over 3.3 million customers across New York and New England. In its renewables segment, Avangrid operates a diverse portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities throughout the U.S.
The company employs approximately 8,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital as one of the JUST 100 companies in 2024, marking its fourth consecutive year on the list and ranking first among utilities and 12th overall.
Avangrid actively supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2024 by the Ethisphere Institute for the sixth straight year. Avangrid is part of a group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A.