First Solar Will Provide EPC Services

In a major step in the development of the Imperial Solar Energy Center South, Tenaska Solar Ventures, the solar energy affiliate of Tenaska, has selected First Solar to be the technology provider and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the project. First Solar will provide EPC services, using advanced thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules for the solar generating plant to be located on approximately 950 acres in the southern part of Imperial County, California. "The selection of First Solar to design and build Imperial Solar Energy Center South is a significant milestone in the development of new renewable sources of energy for Southern California," said Bart Ford, Tenaska vice president of Development. The proposed Imperial Solar Energy Center South will be a ground-mounted PV solar power generating system with a capacity of approximately 130MW of electricity. When operating at peak times, the project will produce enough electricity to meet the needs of at least 44,000 California homes. The electricity produced by the project will be sold under a 25-year power-purchase agreement to San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). The project is expected to create about 250 jobs at peak construction and four to five direct, long-term jobs to support ongoing operations. Construction is expected to begin in late 2011, with commercial operation in 2014. Tenaska Solar Ventures will manage the Imperial Solar Energy Center South project for CSOLAR IV South, LLC, which will develop, own and operate the project. Source: www.digitimes.com