Photovoltaic news and pv jobs

100 MW milestone reached on Agua Caliente Solar Project

The first 100 megawatts (MW) of the 290 MW Agua Caliente Solar Project have been completed and grid connected. It is said to be North America’s largest operating photovoltaic plant.

The 290 MW photovoltaic project is scheduled for completion in 2014.

First Solar

Representatives from NRG Energy Inc., MidAmerican Solar and First Solar Inc. gathered yesterday, April 25, in Yuma County, Arizona, to celebrate the milestone.

It is expected that when the thin film photovoltaic project is complete, scheduled for 2014, it will generate enough energy to power over 225,000 homes.

Commenting, Tom Doyle, president of NRG Solar, said, "Large-scale projects like this … help drive down the price of solar, which will make it even more cost-competitive with conventional electricity generation in the near future."

Last December, it was announced that MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company had acquired a 49 percent stake in the project from NRG. Costing a total of US$1.8 billion, the U.S. department of energy awarded a $967 million loan guarantee to boost development, and Pacific Gas and Electric signed a 25 year power purchase agreement.