Dominion Resources purchases Kyocera’s 5MW solar project

US-based Dominion Resources has bought a 5MW solar project, in the town of Somers, Connecticut, from Kyocera Solar for an undisclosed sum.

The Somers Solar Center, which Kyocera jointly developed with San Francisco-based clean-energy company CleanPath, will start producing power in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Dominion Generation CEO David Christian said that the company looks forward to supplying solar energy to the people of Connecticut, where it already provide carbon-free nuclear energy from its Millstone Power Station.

"The Somers project joins a growing list of renewable projects that Dominion has announced or brought online this year as we maintain our focus on providing a mix of affordable, clean and reliable power," Christian added.

The center, which is sited on 90 acres in north-central Connecticut, will feature Kyocera’s photovoltaic technology to generate enough electricity that will meet the needs of 1,400 homes in Connecticut.

Under a 20-year power purchase agreement, Connecticut Light & Power will buy the output of the plant.

Kyocera Solar president Steve Hill said that the company’s modules can be counted on to continue yielding high energy output for that duration and beyond, serving the Somers Solar Project and the people of Connecticut well."

"Kyocera solar modules have a reputation of being some of the most efficient and reliable in the industry," Hill added.

Connecticut governor Dannel Malloy said that the state of Connecticut has put renewable energy at the forefront of its comprehensive energy strategy, which has led to cheaper, cleaner, more reliable energy for the state’s families and businesses.

"Continued support of one of the largest solar installations in our state by Dominion will ensure an overall commitment to closing the gap between the cost of renewable energy and power generated from fossil fuels," Malloy added.