McCoy Solar Energy Project

McCoy Solar Energy Project

Company type	Power facility
Industry	Solar energy
Founded	2016
Headquarters	Blythe , United States
Area served	Riverside County, California
Products	Photovoltaic electricity
Parent	NextEra Energy

The McCoy Solar Energy Project is a photovoltaic power facility with a capacity of 250 megawatt (MW_AC) situated near Blythe, California within Riverside County, California. Occupying primarily public land in the Mojave Desert, the plant utilizes CdTe thin-film modules supplied by First Solar. The electricity produced is contracted for sale to Southern California Edison through a power purchase agreement.

Positioned next to the 235 MW Blythe Solar Energy Center, these two installations collectively create a 485 MW solar complex. In close proximity are other significant developments such as the 550 MW Desert Sunlight Solar Farm located roughly westward, and the 450 MW Desert Quartzite project by First Solar, which gained initial approval in early 2020.

History

Originally introduced in early 2013 with an intended output of 750 MW, McCoy was set to rank among the largest solar energy facilities worldwide. The project underwent an accelerated authorization process involving both state and federal regulatory bodies. The initial segment of 250 MW commenced power generation in August 2015 and achieved full operational status by June 2016. Expansion to the remaining 500 MW is contingent upon securing a purchaser for the generated electricity.

Electricity Production

Annual Generation (MW·h) at McCoy Solar Energy Project

Year	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Total
2015								11,848	15,276	13,102	15,127	19,238	74,591
2016	24,621	40,810	54,194	60,217	79,264	79,674	79,217	75,872	64,449	57,029	44,431	34,600	694,378
2017	29,558	33,015	61,716	65,851	83,976	90,961	82,832	76,632	71,409	65,788	40,665	42,785	745,186
2018	32,531	45,792	52,360	65,457	78,900	85,010	73,480	73,992	70,043	55,185	37,959	30,198	700,907
2019	33,199	38,738	58,843	68,438	71,255	86,143	85,013	83,260	68,089	62,562	40,011	27,789	721,340
2020	29,343	39,776	38,924	49,055	64,200	63,391	72,211	59,825	46,974	43,419	34,326	27,178	569,162
Average Annual Output (2017–2020)													684,149

See also

• Desert Sunlight Solar Farm
• Blythe Mesa Solar Power Project
• Solar power plants in the Mojave Desert