Southern Company boosts solar portfolio

Southern Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company, announced Monday the acquisition of a controlling interest in a California solar farm.

Southern joins Recurrent Energy, a Canadian company, in the construction of a 200-megawatt farm at the Tranquillity Solar Facility in Fresno County. The 1900-acre project is expected to generate enough energy to power approximately 55,000 homes, according to a press release.

Construction began in July and the energy should be flowing by the end of 2016. Southern California Edison will buy the electricity.

Southern Power has announced, acquired or is constructing more than 1,300 megawatts of renewable energy, including 19 solar, wind and biomass projects.