San Diego Gas & Electric today announced solar power deals that are expected to bring its percentage of renewable energy sales to 29 percent by 2015.
SDG&E signed 25-year contracts for solar projects with subsidiaries of Sol Orchard, LLC and Soitec Solar Development, LLC.
The firms plan to build a series of facilities to generate solar energy around San Diego County. The Sol Orchard deal calls for delivery of 50 megawatts from 21 small plants, and the Soitec Development agreement is for 30 megawatts.
"SDG&E is committed to using all the tools in our renewable toolkit to meet our voluntary commitment to obtain 33 percent of the electricity we deliver to customers from clean renewable resources," said Michael Niggli, president and CEO of the utility.
The company revised a contract with NaturEner to lower output from wind energy projects in Montana from 309 megawatts to 189 megawatts, and reduce financing costs.
Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill Tuesday to require utilities to generate one-third of their power from renewable sources by 2020. The previous goal had been 20 percent.
