Dive Brief:

• Virginia-based Dominion is buying six California solar development projects, with a combined output of 139 MW, from Recurrent Energy.
• The acquisition will raise Dominion’s solar generation portfolio significantly from the 41 MW it has now in Georgia, Connecticut and Indiana.
• The new projects already have long-term power purchase agreements and are under construction, with commercial operation scheduled for later this year or early in 2015.

Dive Insight:

Like other power companies, Dominion is diversifying its portfolio, and adding solar in red-hot California seems like a natural move. Its regulated utility in Virginia has taken a lot of criticism, however, for being less than welcoming of renewables development, particularly by other companies. Backed by Dominion Virginia Power, the state has resisted calls for a renewable portfolio standard. But the utility plans some in-state renewable projects of its own, including rooftop solar at a number of locations, the first one on the campus of Old Dominion University. It also is working on a plan to build two test wind turbines off the shore of Virginia Beach.