First Solar and NRG Energy launch 21MW solar plant in California

22 December 2009

NASDAQ-listed solar company First Solar and NYSE-listed renewable energy company NRG Energy have started commercial operation of the 21MW solar photovoltaic plant in Blythe, California.

The plant was acquired last month by NRG through its wholly owned subsidiary NRG Solar. Electricity generated by the solar facility is being sold to Southern California Edison (SCE) under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

Located in Riverside County about 200 miles east of Los Angeles, the Blythe plant is the largest thin film PV project in the US, according to the company.

‘It is no surprise that America’s largest thin film solar project was built right here in California, where my Administration has successfully created a climate where green businesses can thrive,’ said California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. ‘It is forward-thinking businesses such as First Solar that will help California reach its nation-leading greenhouse gas reduction and renewable portfolio standard goals.’

First Solar expanded its offerings in California in 2008. The Blythe plant is a model for First Solar’s future large-scale solar developments.

‘With a three-month build-out, we are pleased to be bringing it online ahead of schedule,’ said Bruce Sohn, president of First Solar.

NRG Solar is NRG’s subsidiary company responsible for developing, constructing, financing and operating a multi-technology portfolio of solar power assets in North America. Headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, Fortune 500 company NRG Energy’s power plants provide more than 24,000MW of generation capacity. NRG’s retail business, Reliant Energy, serves more than 1.6 million customers in Texas.

Copyright © 2009 NewNet

Tags: solar

This story was published on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 at 12:14 pm and is filed under North America, companies, solar. You can follow any responses to article entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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