139-MW Campo Verde Solar Now Operational with 2.3 Million Thin-Film Modules

The largest solar installation acquired by Southern Company subsidiary Southern Power in partnership with Turner Renewable Energy, the Campo Verde Solar Facility, began commercial operation on Oct. 25. The 139-MW solar photovoltaic (PV) installation in Imperial County, Calif., more than doubles Southern Company’s solar capacity, consists of nearly 2.3 million thin-film PV modules and is expected to generate enough electricity to power nearly 48,000 homes.

“Southern Company is building for America’s energy future – and solar is an important part of our continued effort to provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable power,” said Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO Thomas A. Fanning. “Completing the Campo Verde Solar Facility helps us strategically incorporate more renewables into our diverse energy portfolio.”

Photo courtesy of Southern Company (https://twitter.com/SouthernCompany)

Photo courtesy of Southern Company (https://twitter.com/SouthernCompany)

The plant, located on nearly 1,400 acres, was built and is operated and maintained by First Solar, a leading global provider of comprehensive PV solar systems. The PV modules use First Solar’s patented thin-film technology and employ a fixed-tilt design.

Ted Turner, owner of Turner Renewable Energy, teamed with Southern Company through a subsidiary in January 2010 to form a strategic alliance to pursue the development of renewable energy projects in the United States. The partnership has primarily focused on acquiring solar PV projects where solar resources are most favorable.

In April 2013, the Campo Verde Solar Facility became the fifth project jointly acquired by Southern Power and Turner Renewable Energy. Including this facility, the partnership has acquired more than 220 MW of solar generation in four states.

Electricity generated by the Campo Verde Solar Facility will serve a 20-year power purchase agreement with San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E), a subsidiary of Sempra Energy. Headquartered in San Diego, SDG&E provides energy service to 3.4 million people through 1.4 million electric meters and 850,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties.

The Campo Verde Solar Facility fits Southern Power’s business strategy of growing the wholesale business in targeted markets by acquiring generating assets and building new units, the output of which is significantly covered by long-term contracts. California’s Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) is one of the most ambitious renewable energy standards in the country. The RPS program requires investor-owned utilities, publicly-owned utilities, electric service providers and community choice aggregators to increase procurement from eligible renewable energy resources to 33 percent of retail sales by the end of 2020.

— Solar Builder magazine

[source: http://www.solarbuildermag.com/news/139-mw-campo-verde-solar-now-operational-2-3-million-thin-film-modules/]


Posted

in

,

by

Comments

Leave a Reply