Groundbreaking Solar Farm Set to Transform Hidden Valley

A new solar energy project is in the works for approximately 1,100 acres in Hidden Valley, marking a significant step toward renewable energy generation in the region.

Proposed by Phoenix-based Sawtooth Development Co. for Hidden Valley Ranch Partners, this facility would be the first major solar installation near Maricopa. Current projects are also being established in nearby Eloy, Arizona City, and Florence.

Situated at the intersection of Hidden Valley and Val Vista Roads, the proposed site lies close to the Salt River Project’s Pinal West Substation. The project is currently in the planning stages within Pinal County, requiring a “major comprehensive plan amendment” to shift the land designation from low-density residential to green energy production.

During a recent meeting, a member of the Pinal County Planning and Zoning Commission indicated that the proposal is under review for a forthcoming vote. “We’re really early on in the process,” noted Keith Nichter, a representative from Sawtooth Development.

Copia Power, known for managing significant solar operations across the United States, is slated to operate the facility. The company already runs nine solar plants in Arizona and is supported by Carlyle Portfolio Company, one of the globe’s major investment firms.

According to project documents, natural features such as Vekol Wash, Warren Road, and the Santa Rosa Canal will provide a buffer of up to a quarter mile between the development site and the residential areas to the east.

The initial public hearing on this proposal is scheduled for 6 p.m. on September 5, at the Ironwood Room of the Pinal County Courthouse in Florence. Subsequent hearings will follow before the county’s Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Supervisors.

Once these hearings conclude, a detailed site plan will be submitted for final approval from county planners and supervisors. The project’s narrative emphasizes its goal to enhance renewable energy production, benefitting both the local economy and the tax base. It aims to provide sustainable energy solutions while creating a variety of jobs in construction and operations.

“This project exemplifies an approach to economic development that is sustainable and beneficial, with emphasis on reinvesting capital back into the local and regional economies,” the narrative states. During the planning phase, careful site analysis was conducted to ensure the selected area is optimally suited for energy production, particularly regarding access to essential electrical transmission infrastructure.