Financial terms of the transaction were not made public.

The project sites are located in California's Fresno, Kern and Kings counties.

Dominion says construction began in the first quarter and all of the facilities are due to reach commercial operation late this year or in early 2015. The projects are expected to qualify for the federal Investment Tax Credit.

"This investment is another important step forward for Dominion as we expand our renewable energy portfolio," sasays Dominion chief executive Thomas F.