Energy
A Bright Idea
Impressive economic and environmental benefits make solar generation a core component of our renewables portfolio. Located in California, our Topaz and Solar Star facilities collectively produce 1,136 megawatts of solar-powered generation capacity.
World Leader in Solar
BHE Renewables’ Solar Star projects were completed in 2015. The projects provided nearly 650 construction jobs, cover nearly 3,200 acres and provide enough electricity to power approximately 245,000 average California households.
Minimizing Our Footprint
Electricity generated from the Solar Star projects displace approximately 561,000 tons of CO2 per year – the equivalent of taking 106,000 cars off the road annually.
Energy
Topaz Solar Farms
Topaz Solar Farms is a 550-megawatt solar power plant in San Luis Obispo County, California. The project was completed in 2015 and is considered one of the world’s largest solar farms. With more than eight million modules installed, the project covers 4,700 acres and provides electricity to power approximately 180,000 average California households annually.
Construction of Topaz Solar Farms
BHE Renewables acquired Topaz Solar Farms in January 2012. The project is estimated to have infused $417 million into the local economy, the majority of which was generated during construction, with the remainder over the project’s minimum 25-year operating period. This included $192 million in compensation for approximately 400 construction jobs from 2012-2014 and also included $52 million in economic output for local suppliers and $14 million in sales taxes during construction.