US utility brings 50MW Texas solar online

• Brightside project covers 174 hectares of land and consists of 147,732 PV panels

United States utility Vistra has brought online the 50MW Brightside solar farm in Live Oak County, Texas.

Brightside is the very first of seven brand-new eco-friendly as well as power storage projects that the firm is bringing online across Texas over the next couple of years.

The projects, all situated within the ERCOT market, become part of a close to $1bn capital investment by Vistra initially announced in September 2020.

Brightside is located on 174 hectares of land as well as makes up 147,732 photovoltaic panels that can create enough electricity to power approximately 25,000 ordinary homes in the ERCOT market throughout regular grid conditions.

Preliminary project building began in January 2021.

Brightside uses First Solar PV panels, with Burns & McDonnell having supplied design as well as building proficiency to the project.

Vistra chief executive Curt Morgan said: "With Brightside and also additional Vistra Zero projects poised to come online throughout Texas, our vision of transitioning our fleet to cleaner electric generation is becoming a reality.

" As Texas proceeds its quick price of financial and population growth, Vistra is purchasing the grid of the future while serving the demands of its consumers who are increasingly seeking green alternatives

" We take pride in our lengthy background of powering Texas and anticipate remaining to reinforce the ERCOT grid with additional power to help construct the sustainable future all Texans are entitled to."

The company additionally anticipates to begin business procedures in Texas in spring 2022 at the 260MW DeCordova power storage facility in Hood County as well as the 108MW Emerald Grove solar farm in Crane County.