Tucson Electric Power's newest and largest solar resource is now online and producing power for customers.
Babacomari Solar, a 160-megawatt (MW) solar array located near Huachuca City, features more than 296,000 solar panels. The system will produce enough energy to serve the annual electric needs of more than 40,000 homes.
Panels are mounted on a single-axis tracking system that follows the movement of the sun. This allows the system to produce more energy than stationary panels, especially in the afternoon hours when customers' energy needs are greatest.
The system also features bi-facial solar modules that capture solar energy reflected off the ground onto the back of each panel, increasing energy production by up to 30 percent compared to conventional single-sided modules.
"We're excited to bring our largest single solar resource online to serve our community's growing energy needs," said Eric Bronner, Vice President of Energy Management, Planning and Development.
Babacomari Solar was developed by DESRI, which owns and operates the system for TEP's customers. In addition to buying the system's output, TEP invested approximately $10 million to build a new switchyard that connects it to our regional transmission system.
TEP expects to bring 260 MW of new solar resources and 300 MW of new energy storage resources online this year. Some projects will be owned and operated by TEP, while others will be developed for TEP's use by third parties.
TEP's Roadrunner Reserve 2 is expected to begin operations in April. The 200-MW grid-tied battery energy storage system (BESS) in southeast Tucson will help satisfy customers' everyday energy needs with abundant, low-cost solar energy obtained from our own systems or the energy market. Roadrunner Reserve 1, another 200 MW battery energy storage system, started providing service to customers last year.
Wilmot Energy Center II, which includes a new 100 MW solar and a 100 MW battery energy storage system, is scheduled to begin operations in April. That system is owned and operated by an affiliate of NextEra Energy Resources for TEP's use.
Winchester Solar, an 80 MW solar and 80 MW battery system located near Willcox in Cochise County, is scheduled to be online beginning in early 2027. That system is being developed by Torch Clean Energy, which will own and operate the system for TEP's use.
To view a list of TEP's solar, wind and storage resources, visit tep.com/clean-energy-resources.
