A new solar power plant near Queen Creek is supplying electricity to more than 100 schools in 11 Valley districts.
The school districts have agreed to participate in the SRP Community Solar program and are among the first customers to receive energy from the new Copper Crossing Solar Ranch in Florence to offset a portion of their electric needs.
Copper Crossing is producing 20 megawatts of solar energy, or enough to power approximately 3,700 Salt River Project customers’ homes. The recently completed facility contains approximately 66,000 high-efficiency solar panels and is located on 144 acres.
The school districts will purchase a total of 7,840 kilowatts of solar energy from the plant for a fixed price for 10 years. Participants include the Chandler and J.O. Combs unified school districts, Kyrene schools and the East Valley Institute of Technology.
