Trico Electric Cooperative Inc. and Torch Clean Energy have broken ground on a 10-MW solar power facility in the town of Marana, Ariz.

The proposed Avión project is expected to enter operation by December. During its first year of operation, the facility is projected to generate 30,000 MWh of electricity, which is enough to power for more than 3,000 average residential homes yearly.

Torch Clean Energy is a privately-held renewable energy development company that develops, permits, designs, builds and finances renewable energy facilities. To date, Torch Clean Energy has developed over 500 MW of operating renewable projects across the U.S.

Trico Electric Cooperative is a non-profit electric distribution cooperative serving more than 43,000 Members in rural areas surrounding Tucson, including portions of Pima, Pinal and Santa Cruz counties.