Work Begins on Texas Solar Plant

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas — Officials have broken ground on a 60-megawatt, 600-acre solar electric plant east of Pflugerville in Travis County.

 

The plant, which is being developed by RRE Austin Solar, will be the country’s largest, according to officials. Once it comes online it will produce enough electricity to power 30,000 households.

 

The plant is expected to cost over $200 million, with RRE Austin funding the construction through its own capital as well as through federal subsidies, which include 30 percent tax grants from the federal government.

 

In return for agreeing to not annex the plant, the city will receive several benefits, including payments of $.05 per $100 evaluation after a certain number of years, which, according to estimates, will generate approximately $2.5 million for Pflugerville citizens, according to city and RRE Austin spokespeople.

 

Officials expect the project will take two to three years to complete and bring upwards of 300 jobs to the area.