SOLAR | In Operation

Sempra U.S. Gas & Power is developing a new source of renewable electricity and creating jobs in the Arizona desert. Located 40 miles west of Phoenix, the 4,000-acre Mesquite Solar complex will tap into 300 days of sunshine each year to generate up to 700 megawatts (MW) of emission-free solar power without the use of precious water supplies. Mesquite Solar is positioned to be North America's largest photovoltaic (PV) solar power installation when complete.

Construction on the 150-MW first phase of the solar complex–called Mesquite Solar 1– was completed in late 2012, generating enough clean electricity for about 56,000 homes. Mesquite Solar 1 is jointly owned by Sempra U.S. Gas & Power and Consolidated Edison Development. The project provided a boost to the local economy, creating an estimated 300 local construction jobs and up to 10 long-term positions. The renewable power from Mesquite Solar 1 is sold to California's Pacific Gas & Electric under a 20-year contract.

Benefits

• Creates an estimated 300 local construction jobs and up to 10 long-term positions
• Requires no water to generate electricity, saving this precious resource for other needs
• Partly manufactured with solar panels made in Arizona
• Built on previously disturbed land near existing power plants and transmission lines
• Reduces greenhouse gases by about 190,000 tons annually, the equivalent of taking 33,000 cars off the road