Salt River Project Commissions 55 MW Solar Facility as Living Lab

Salt River Project (SRP) commissioned its first utility-owned solar facility, the 55 MW Copper Crossing Energy and Research Center (CCERC) PV Solar Project, in April 2026. The plant, located in Florence, Arizona, is designed to power an estimated 11,000 average Arizona homes annually.

Technical Specifications

The CCERC PV Solar Project spans 270 acres adjacent to the existing Abel Substation. Construction began in fall 2024 and concluded in March 2026. The facility incorporates three distinct photovoltaic (PV) panel types, three solar tracker types, and three inverter types. This configuration allows SRP to compare the performance and durability of different advanced solar technologies under Arizona’s desert conditions. The site also includes sky cameras to test a new method for estimating cloud impacts on solar production, aiming to improve forecasting accuracy.

Why It Matters

SRP, a not-for-profit public power utility serving the Phoenix metro area, aims to double its generation capacity over the next decade to meet projected energy demand. This 55 MW solar plant is part of an “all of the above” approach that includes natural gas, renewable, and storage resources. The adjacent site also houses a 99 MW flexible natural gas facility for grid stabilization. Looking ahead to 2027, the CCERC will host two non-lithium energy storage pilot projects. SRP also has a separate 50 MWh long-duration iron-air storage pilot with ESS Inc. Bobby Olsen, SRP Associate General Manager and Chief Power System Executive, stated the facility supports customer needs for reliable, affordable energy and refines benefits for future deployments.

Critical Perspective

While SRP highlights the CCERC’s role in testing advanced solar hardware and supporting grid reliability, the facility’s primary function remains electricity generation. With a stated goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, how will SRP balance the continued operation of its 99 MW natural gas facility at the same site with its renewable energy expansion plans? Specifically, what is the projected lifespan and operational strategy for the natural gas plant in relation to the growing solar capacity?

Sources

• https://media.srpnet.com/srp-launches-first-utility-owned-solar-to-support-the-grid/
• https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/04/16/srp-flips-the-switch-on-55-mw-living-lab-solar-project-in-arizona/
• https://www.tdworld.com/renewables/news/55371235/srp-brings-copper-crossing-solar-project-online-to-support-grid-and-research-efforts/

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