The Vaca-Dixon Solar Station is a step toward PG&E’s goal of adding 500MW of solar PV to its system in five years – half to be built by the utility and half by independent developers.

The pilot is meant to develop PG&E’s PV building and operating experience, the utility says in an online announcement Wednesday. Solon will use a sub-contractor, Silverwood Energy of California, to build and commission the plant by December.