Sep 6 2010
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) and Southern California Edison have received contract approvals from the California Public Utilities Commission, thereby furthering the progress of California toward its clean energy goals. The electrical energy would be generated by three solar PV power plants that have been planned in California.
Southern California Edison has received two power purchase agreements spanning 20 years each with First Solar Inc., an Arizona-based company, for production from the Desert Stateline and Desert Sunlight projects. The agreements involve 300 MW of production output at one facility and 250 MW at another facility, and both will utilize solar PV technology.
The power plants will be situated in San Bernardino and Desert Center, California, and energy supply is likely to commence in 2015. The Desert Sunlight project has been actively seeking funding by means of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The California Public Utilities Commission has approved a power purchase agreement spanning 20 years by PG&E with NRG Energy subsidiary Alpine Suntower. This 66-MW solar PV plant will be built in Riverside County, California. Energy supply from this facility is anticipated to commence in 2013.