Maricopa West Solar PV LLC on Sept. 25 asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to accept for filing its Market-Based Rate Tariff, which covers a 20-MW project due for initial test operation in November.
Maricopa will own and operate an approximately 20-MW solar photovoltaic facility and related assets located in Kern County, California, which is within the California Independent System Operator balancing authority area. Pursuant to a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA), it will sell all of the net energy from the facility at wholesale to San Diego Gas & Electric.
The facility will be interconnected to the transmission system owned by PacifiCorp and under operational control of the CAISO pursuant to a standard small generator interconnection agreement. Applicant anticipates that the facility may generate test power in November 2015 and commence commercial operation shortly after that. Applicant intends to self-certify as a qualifying facility under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978.
Applicant is currently owned by EC&R NA Solar PV LLC (E.ON). However, E.ON has entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Dominion Solar Holdings III LLC (DSH III) whereby DSH III will acquire 100% of the membership interests in the applicant. The applicant will not be operational until after the transaction closes. Upon closing, and as of the requested effective date of its market-based rate authority, applicant will be a direct wholly owned subsidiary of DSH III and will no longer be affiliated with E.ON. If the transaction does not close, applicant will withdraw its Market-Based Rate Application and will seek to cancel its tariff.
DSH III is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Dominion Energy Inc., which is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Virginia-based Dominion Resources (NYSE: D).
