First Solar Inc of Tempe, AZ, USA – which makes thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules based on cadmium telluride (CdTe) as well as providing engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) services – has acquired the 60MWAC North Star solar project developed by NorthLight Power LLC, becoming First Solar’s first utility-scale photovoltaic power project in Fresno County, CA. NorthLight is a joint venture of Renewable Energy Corporation ASA (REC) and Seattle-based low-carbon energy project developer Summit Power Group LLC.
The North Star project is located near the city of Mendota and has a 20-year power purchase agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
The photovoltaic (PV) solar plant is expected to start construction in 2014 and be completed in 2015, providing up to 410 construction jobs. “North Star will provide much-needed construction employment in a hard-hit economy, while helping the state satisfy its renewable energy requirements,” says James F. Cook, First Solar’s director of project development.
When fully operational, it will produce enough energy to power over 21,000 average California homes while displacing about 33,000 metric tons of water consumption and 39,000 metric tons of CO2 per year (equivalent to taking about 7500 cars off the road each year).
“We have received and been thankful for tremendous support from the local community, and look forward to continuing success with other solar projects that are in our current development portfolio within NorthLight Power,” says Dana Zentz, VP of Commercial Development for Summit & managing director of NorthLight Power.
