Sonoran Solar Energy
Sonoran Solar Energy is a solar plant in Maricopa County, Arizona, operated by Sonoran Solar Energy, LLC. Among the 7,112 solar plants in the country it is the second-largest. It is the biggest of Arizona’s 98 solar plants. Of its current capacity, 750 MW came online between 2023 and 2025. Its biggest unit, rated at 490 MW, is the second-largest single generator in Arizona.
Nameplate capacity, 2025
750 MW
520 MW net summer capacity
2 operable units
- Solar photovoltaic490 MW65%
- Battery260 MW35%
Unit by unit, 2023 to 2025
operating in 2025bar height follows unit size
Unit SON12 Solar photovoltaic, 490 MW, 2023
Unit SON13 Battery, 260 MW, 2023
Among Arizona’s plants
Largest plants in the state by nameplate capacity, with the plants ranked next to this one.
- 1Palo Verde4,210 MW
- 2Springerville1,779 MW
- 3Santan1,326 MW
- 10Ocotillo806 MW
- 11Apache Station782 MW
- 12Sonoran Solar Energythis plant
- 13Desert Basin745 MW
- 14Agua Fria738 MW
Other rankings
- All US power plants
- 443rd of 14,286
- Power plants in Arizona
- 12th of 191
- Plants in the Salt River Project balancing area
- 6th of 44
Operable units
| Unit | Technology | Nameplate | Summer | Online | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SON13 | Battery | 260 MW | 260 MW | 2023 | Operating |
| SON12 | Solar photovoltaic | 490 MW | 260 MW | 2023 | Operating |
Grid and site
- Balancing area
- Salt River Project
- Reliability region
- Western Electricity Coordinating Council
- Highest grid connection voltage
- 500 kV
- Nearest town on record
- Buckeye
- Operator type
- Independent producer
- Coordinates
- 33.249°N, 112.542°W
Closest plants
| Plant | Runs on | Capacity | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Star Hybrid | Battery storage | 20 MW | 9.9 mi southwest |
| Buckeye Union HS District 201 | Solar | 3.3 MW | 11.9 mi north |
| Macys Goodyear | Solar | 3.1 MW | 13.3 mi northeast |
| Pluto Energy Storage | Battery storage | 75 MW | 13.4 mi northeast |
| Sun Streams 4 | Battery storage | 600 MW | 15.8 mi northwest |
| Estrella Mountain PV | Solar | 1.8 MW | 16.1 mi northeast |
| Cotton Center Solar Hybrid | Battery storage | 34 MW | 16.3 mi southwest |
| Sun Streams 3 | Battery storage | 430 MW | 16.6 mi west |