First project to deliver clean energy to California residents through PG&Es Solar Choice Program

FOLSOM, Calif. & BAKERSFIELD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--8minutenergy Renewables, LLC ("8minutenergy"), the largest independent solar developer in the U.S., today celebrated a ribbon-cutting event for its 26 MW-dc (20 MW-ac) Redwood 4 Solar Farm located in Kern County, California. Project construction began in mid-September 2017, and the site was commissioned in December of the same year.

Redwood 4 is the first operational project to serve as a dedicated resource for Pacific Gas and Electric Companys (PG&Es) Solar Choice program, providing clean energy for California residents. PG&Es Solar Choice program offers Northern and Central California residents and businesses the option to go solar without installing panels by purchasing their electricity from solar energy generated from projects such as this.

"We are proud to celebrate the completion of Redwood 4, and to help deliver clean energy options to PG&Es customers," said Martin Hermann, 8minutenergys CEO and Founder. "8minutenergys heritage is in California, and we are building some of the worlds largest solar farms here. Today is another landmark achievement as we complete the final installation in our 100 MW Redwood solar cluster."

"Redwood 4 is a testament to our rigorous greenfield development approach, and we are thrilled to have financed, constructed, and completed the project in record time," said 8minutenergy President and Co-Founder, Tom Buttgenbach. "We thank all of our partners and team for their hard work and support to reach this milestone."

Swinerton Renewable Energy served as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor for Redwood 4. REC Group supplied the solar panels for the project, and NEXTracker provided their smart solar tracking solution.

8minutenergys three other projects in the 100 MW Redwood solar cluster have been operational since the end of 2015. The projects will have a combined annual production capacity of over 200 million kilowatt hours (kWh) once complete, enough energy for more than 30,390 homes, and will reduce carbon emissions by more than 152,000 metric tons each year. 8minutenergy is maintaining their ownership of Redwood 4.

About 8minutenergy Renewables, LLC

Founded in 2009, 8minutenergy Renewables is the nations largest independent developer of solar PV and storage projects. To date, 8minutenergy has 7.5 GW of PV and 1 GW of storage under development in North America, operates 700+ MW in solar assets, and been awarded more than 1.5 GW in power purchase agreements. The company is developing some of the largest solar plants in the world, including the 800 MW Mount Signal farm in California. 8minutenergy has an unmatched ability to produce affordable clean energy, and to deliver strong financial returns on utility-scale solar and storage projects. For more information, please visit www.8minutenergy.com.