Catalina Solar was built on 900 acres and includes a 7.2 mile (11.6 km) transmission line that connects the facility to the substation. The facility will produce enough clean energy to power some 35,000 homes.

"Catalina Solar is a strategic project for EDF Renewable Energy as it represents our largest utility-scale photovoltaic solar plant developed in North America," said Mark Tholke, vice president west region for EDF Renewable Energy.  

"The successful completion of this project on behalf of EDF Renewable Energy will help make solar more cost competitive with other sources of energy," said Toby Seay, president of Bechtel's communications, renewables, and transmission business line. "The build of facilities like Catalina will help spur innovation around solar technologies and strengthen our use of clean, renewable power."