US-based Duke Energy Renewables has commenced commercial operations at the 10MW Black Mountain Solar Power Project near Kingman in the state of Arizona.

The project employs 42,000 PV panels to produce electricity required for 1,900 average American households.

Commenting on the developments Duke Energy Renewables President Greg Wolf remarked that the commencement of operations at Black Mountain increases the company’s solar portfolio in the state to 37MW.

Electricity produced by the facility will be procured by UniSource Energy Services under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

UES chairman and CEO Paul J. Bonavia noted "The Black Mountain system shows how we can expand our renewable energy portfolio while also investing in our community and help to create jobs."

The project was designed and constructed by the Solon Corporation and acquired by Duke in May 2012.