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Massive Sonoran Solar Array Inaugurated

Zuma Energy
Murphy Woodhouse/KJZZ
Zuma Energy CEO Adrian Katzew speaks at the inauguration of the company's massive Sonoran solar array.

Zuma Energy’s massive Orejana solar installation is now cranking out more than 160 megawatts of power about 50 miles west of Hermosillo, the capital of Sonora.

“In front of us are 500,000 solar panels,” said company CEO Adrian Katzew during an inauguration event Tuesday morning.

The over 800-acre array generates enough electricity to power over 200,000 Mexican homes, and mitigate the carbon emissions of half of Hermosillo’s vehicles, according to the CEO.

Zuma won the long-term contract with Mexico’s energy utility in 2016.

During the event, Sonora’s Economy Secretary Jorge Vidal said Orejana is one of eight large-scale solar arrays completed or near completion. Fifteen with a combined capacity of over 2,000 megawatts have been announced. 

Mexico’s Energy Secretary Rocio Nahle Garcia was also on hand for the event.

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Murphy Woodhouse was a senior field correspondent at KJZZ from 2018 to 2023.