Phase three of 800-MW Mount Signal Solar Farm begins, says 8minuteenergy

8minutenergy Renewables, the largest independent solar power developer in the U.S., and global private asset manager Capital Dynamics, announced the acquisition and development of the 328 MW-dc Mount Signal 3 PV project located in the city of Calexico in California’s Imperial Valley. This is the third phase of the 800 MW Mount Signal Solar Farm, which is among the largest PV projects in the world.

Capital Dynamics acquired Mount Signal 3’s equity interests from 8minutenergy, who will continue to be the project developer. Although terms of the transaction are not being disclosed, Capital Dynamics is currently arranging tax equity and debt financing for the project, with financial closing expected in late July 2017.

Development details

8minutenergy started developing Mount Signal 3 in 2011, and has already completed all procurement and construction contracts. Mortenson Construction was appointed as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor, and will be hiring for 300-400 local construction jobs, starting this year. First Solar was selected as the panel supplier, providing 2.8 million Series 4 thin film panels. In addition, Southern California Edison (SCE) and 8minutenergy signed the long-term power purchase agreement in 2014 to deliver the project’s clean, renewable energy to residents in 15 surrounding counties. 8minutenergy will continue to oversee construction, and is expected to bring the plant to commercial operation by the end of 2018.

“As the original developer of the Mount Signal Solar Farm, we successfully built the 260 MW-dc Mount Signal 1 project, and brought it online in 2013. We are thrilled to bring Mount Signal 3 to fruition, which is the largest in 8minutenergy’s history,” said 8minutenergy CEO and Founder, Martin Hermann. “It’s our mission to deliver abundant and affordable clean energy, and we are certainly doing that with Mount Signal 3. Through our rigorous project development approach, we are going to once again be delivering solar power at cost-competitive rates to fossil fuels.”

8minutenergy engaged several advisory firms to close the MS3 transaction, most notably BofA Merrill Lynch as the lead financial advisor, and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe as legal counsel. Capital Dynamics was represented by Amis, Patel & Brewer, LLP as legal counsel.

— Solar Builder magazine

[source: http://solarbuildermag.com/news/phase-three-of-800-mw-mount-signal-solar-farm-begins-says-8minuteenergy/]