Austin Energy’s La Loma Community Solar Farm Commences Operation

This is the largest community solar farm in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

Electric utility, Austin Energy has started receiving solar energy from its La Loma Community Solar Farm after the project recently commenced operations in East Austin.

This is the largest community solar farm in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

Moreover, it is the first project in the state of Texas to offer low-income customers a discounted rate on community solar.

Another significant feature of the new La Loma Community Solar Farm is that it has more than 9,000 panels.

The 2.6 megawatt project will produce at least 4,400 megawatt-hours of electric power per year.

This community solar allows multiple customers to share the output of a central facility rather than installing solar on their own roofs.

The customers of the solar farm include renters, people with shaded roofs, and residents who can’t afford the upfront costs of rooftop solar. More than half of Austin Energy customers are renters and have limited access to rooftop solar.

Following Austin City Council approval in December, Austin Energy dedicated half of La Loma’s capacity to low-income customers in the City of Austin Utilities’ Customer Assistance Program at a discounted rate.

Commenting on the development, Austin Energy, General Manager, Jackie Sargent said, “Austin Energy’s Community Solar Program is another great example of what happens when the City Council, the community and the utility work together to drive value for all of our customers.”

“Our new program will help bring the benefits of our local solar offerings to even more of our customers,” Sargent added.