The Pinal County Board of Supervisors this month paved the way for a nearly 3,000 acre solar power plant by changing the land-use from residential to green energy production.

“The Picacho Solar Project will help serve the area’s projected electrical demand growth with clean, renewable solar power,” said SunPower spokeswoman Ingrid Ekstrom in an emailed statement.

SunPower plans to transform almost 2,726 acres into power-generating solar panels. Nearby utility infrastructure, including connections to Arizona Public Service and Tucson Electric Power, made the site attracted. The planned facility also includes energy battery storage.

Ekstrom said the project is expected to generate approximately 300 jobs during construction.

A review found no legally protected animals or cultural resources in the area.

After a request from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, SunPower adjusted its plans to skirt a wildlife corridor in the southeast corner of the property.

Pinal County officials must approve a rezoning before construction can begin. SunPower expects to start producing electricity by 2020.