Overview
Midway Solar Farm III is a 20 MW operational solar PV facility in Imperial County, California, owned by Greenbacker Renewable Energy Corporation. It contributes to the state's renewable energy goals under the Renewable Portfolio Standard.
Midway Solar Farm III is a solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant located in Imperial County, California, United States. With a capacity of 20 megawatts (MW), it is a medium-scale solar installation that feeds clean electricity into the California grid. The facility is owned by Greenbacker Renewable Energy Corporation, a company specializing in renewable energy assets. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the United States, benefiting from the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and California's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which mandates 60% renewable electricity by 2030 and 100% by 2045. Solar PV technology converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor panels, with no moving parts and low maintenance requirements. The facility's location in the sunny Imperial Valley ensures high solar irradiance, optimizing energy generation. Midway Solar Farm III plays a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting California's transition to a clean energy economy. By displacing fossil fuel generation, it helps improve local air quality and contributes to grid reliability. The plant's output is sufficient to power approximately 4,000 homes annually, demonstrating the scalability of solar energy in the region.
Environmental context
The facility is situated in the Imperial Valley, a region with high solar insolation and arid climate, making it ideal for solar energy generation. The area's agricultural and desert ecosystems may experience land-use changes from solar development, but the facility's design minimizes habitat fragmentation. Solar PV has no water consumption during operation, which is beneficial in this water-scarce region. The plant supports California's goal of reducing carbon emissions and air pollution from fossil fuels.
Frequently asked questions
Midway Solar Farm III is located in Imperial County, California, United States, near the coordinates 33.1548° N, -115.5449° W.
Midway Solar Farm III has a capacity of 20 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale solar photovoltaic facility.
Midway Solar Farm III is owned by Greenbacker Renewable Energy Corporation, a company that invests in renewable energy assets across the United States.
Solar energy in California is supported by the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which requires 60% renewable electricity by 2030 and 100% by 2045, along with federal tax incentives like the Investment Tax Credit (ITC).
The facility generates clean electricity without emissions, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to California's climate goals. Solar PV also has minimal water use and low operational impact.