First Solar Inc of Tempe,AZ,USA,which manufactures thin-film photovoltaic(PV)modules based on cadmium telluride(CdTe)as well as providing engineering,procurement and construction(EPC)services,has signed power purchase agreements with Pacific Gas and Electric Company(PG&E)for 72MWAC of solar electricity,to be generated at two photovoltaic power plants that First Solar is developing in central California.
The 32MW Lost Hills project in Kern County and the 40MW Cuyama project in Santa Barbara County are expected to create up to 600 jobs at peak construction.Project construction could start in 2013 as soon as the development process is complete,depending on plans of the projects'eventual owners.
Together,Lost Hills and Cuyama will produce enough renewable energy to power about 24,000 California homes,offsetting approximately 45,000 metric tons of CO2 annually(equivalent to taking about 8900 cars off the road each year).
"We are very pleased to add these projects to PG&E's solar portfolio,helping it and California reach their renewable energy goals,"says Brian Kunz,First Solar's VP of project development."Grid-friendly utility-scale power plants from First Solar are readily integrated into the electrical infrastructure."
The power purchase agreements—each with a delivery term beginning in 2019—are subject to approval by the California Public Utilities Commission,whose decision is expected in first-half 2013.
