Tucson-based Asarco LLC christened a massive new solar-energy farm near its Mission Mine on Friday.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the beginning of commercial operations at the Pima Mine Road Solar Generating Facility, also known as the Avalon Solar Project, near Sahuarita.
The 35-megawatt photovoltaic project on about 225 acres will supply power to Tucson Electric Power Co. under a 20-year contract, generating enough electricity to power more than 5,700 homes.
Asarco, a major copper producer, says the project is one of the biggest such installations on a mining property.
Clenera Renewable Energy developed the project and Panasonic Eco Solutions oversees the operations and maintenance. Coronal Group, an alternative-energy firm, is the operating manager of the plant.
Clenera has installed a small photovoltaic solar plant at Asarco’s Mineral Discovery Center to provide renewable energy to power the center and also has added an exhibit explaining the benefits of solar energy generation.