Photovoltaic news and pv jobs

First Solar to work on 130 MW Imperial Solar Energy Center South

First Solar will provide both its thin film photovoltaic modules, and engineering, procurement and construction services to the proposed 130 megawatt (MW) Imperial Solar Energy Center South project.

The 130 MW photovoltaic project is set to be located in California's Imperial Valley. Image: Flickr/mr.skeleton.

According to a statement released, the proposed energy center will be located on around 950 acres of land in Imperial County, California.

Tenaska Solar Ventures will manage the project for CSOLAR IV South, LLC, which will develop, own and operate the project. Meanwhile, as reported, First Solar will provide the technology and EPC services.

Set to be up to 130 MW in size, the ground-mounted installation is expected to meet the energy needs of at least 44,000 homes when complete. Plant construction is scheduled to being late this year, with commercial operations starting in 2014.

It is hoped that around 250 jobs at peak construction will be created and four to five direct, long-term jobs to support ongoing operations. The electricity produced will reportedly be sold under a 25-year power-purchase agreement to San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E).

"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," commented Bart Ford, Tenaska vice president of Development.