NRG Energy, Inc. introduced the NRG Community 1 Solar Generating Facility, the first-of-its-kind one in the United States. The power generated from this facility will be purchased and sell out under a power purchase agreement.

Covering nearly 37 acres of land owned by San Diego State University (SUSU), the 6MW NRG Community 1 Solar Project is developed by Sol Orchard in collaboration with the Center for Energy Sustainability at SDSU’s Imperial Valley Campus. It can generate enough emission-free electricity to power about 2,200 homes at full capacity. It will additionally reduce emissions and lower the demand on the southern California electric grid. The Boeing Company provided engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) for the project, marking a completion of its first solar power plant for NRG.

Under a 25-year power purchase agreement, the Imperial Irrigation District will purchase all energy generated by NRG Community 1 Solar Project and sell it at a competitive rate to interested customers through a community solar program. The inventive system design follows a similar NRG community solar installation in Rutland, Vermont and puts low-cost clean energy within reach of the Imperial Irrigation District’s consumers. This program creates a unique option for homes and facilities that may not be ideal candidates for rooftop systems while ensuring that renewable energy reaches as many consumers as possible.

“At NRG, we challenge the status quo, joining forces with the best to push the industry on innovation and new design, all with consumer needs in mind,” said Randy Hickok, senior vice president, NRG. “We’re excited to empower the Imperial Irrigation District’s community solar program which brings pioneering spirit and clean technology to their customers while doing something that will help ensure the future of our planet.”

“Clean, affordable and secure power is important around the world,” said Tim Noonan, vice president, Ventures, part of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “Boeing relied on its strong supply chain management, systems engineering, program management and performance-based logistics to build the Community 1 solar power plant. We look forward to scaling collaboration on future projects with our partners at NRG.”