A renewable energy company has signed an agreement with Homer Electric Association, advancing the development of Alaska’s largest solar farm project. This deal sets the stage for substantial solar energy development in the state. Jenn Miller from Renewable IPP reports that the solar farm at Puppy Dog Lake in Nikiski will have a capacity of 45 megawatts. This project will significantly boost Alaska’s solar energy production, nearly tripling the current output from rooftop installations and existing farms.
The ambitious project will power nearly 9,000 households on the Peninsula, making it over five times larger than Renewable IPP’s previous Houston project. That project, which started last year with 8.5 megawatts, currently holds the title of the state’s largest solar farm. Alaska’s growing commitment to renewable energy will be evident in this new 300-acre farm, featuring over 60,000 solar panels. Simultaneously, the Homer Electric Association board decided unanimously to purchase electricity from the solar farm, marking a crucial milestone. With this agreement secured, the project will soon seek approval from the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, aiming to start operations by late 2027.
Additionally, Keriann Baker, the utility’s chief strategy officer, said the project will double the utility’s renewable power production, reaching 24% of total generation. Besides installing a more efficient gas turbine, the solar farm will reduce Homer Electric’s natural gas use by over 15%, conserving Cook Inlet gas for Southcentral Alaska. The Alaska Energy Authority has provided a $2 million grant to assist CleanCapital’s ambitious Alaska’s largest solar farm project. This project will play a crucial role in helping Alaska achieve its objective of expanding its energy sources. This initiative aims to progress towards a future that is both environmentally friendly and economically efficient.
This news story was originally published by Anchorage Daily News.
