SOLON Corporation has announced the completion of the 5 megawatt (MW) Prairie Fire Solar Plant in Tucson, Arizona, for Tucson Electric Power (TEP).

The fixed-tilt system was designed and constructed by SOLON. TEP will own and operate the solar production facility. The 5 MW system spans 28 acres and is composed of more than 17,000 solar panels. The construction of the system, located near East Valencia and East Old Vail roads, took just 10 weeks and created the equivalent of 75 full-time local jobs.

"Prairie Fire is another shining example of the stellar project execution of our power plants team and the intrinsic value of solar energy," said Jared Schoch, Vice President and General Manager of Power Plants at SOLON Corporation.

"We commend TEP's commitment to making affordable solar energy ubiquitous in Arizona and are excited to be a partner in these efforts."

Over the course of a year, the Prairie Fire array is expected to produce approximately 9,000 megawatt hours (MWh), enough to power more than 850 homes.

"The Prairie Fire system is the third utility-scale solar array developed for us in Tucson by SOLON," said David Hutchens, President of TEP and its parent company UNS Energy.

"We proudly work with companies like SOLON, as well as public and educational partners, to help make Southern Arizona a leader in the development of solar projects that are cost-effective and environmentally sensitive."

By the end of 2013, TEP expects to have more than 250 MW of renewable generating capacity, enough energy to power the equivalent of approximately 50,000 homes. With the activation of Prairie Fire, SOLON now has nearly 65 MW of solar resources installed and operating just in the state of Arizona.