Feb 26 2010
Concentrix Solar, a leading concentrator photovoltaic systems supplier and Soitec Group’s new division, has signed an agreement with Chevron Technology Ventures to install a concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) power plant with a capacity of 1 MW at a Chevron mining plant located in Questa, New Mexico. The commercial availability of CPV systems for deployment throughout the world is confirmed by Concentrix Solar through this agreement.
The 1-MW CPV power plant to be deployed at Chevron will utilize its FLATCON(R) technology. It will be United States’ largest CPV solar power plant installation and one among the largest CPV facilities in the world. Kit Carson Electric Cooperative will purchase the entire power output from the plant through a power purchase agreement.
Concentrix Solar CEO, Hansjorg Lerchenmuller, said that for the company this installation is an important milestone in its U.S. strategy that showcases its technology. He also added that the company’s CPV power plants in Spain are performing exceptionally well, and this deployment of the technology in the U.S. is one step forward. In United States’ southwestern states, the direct normal irradiance levels are high, which is ideal for the company’s CPV technology. The company is eager to demonstrate its technology at the Chevron’s Questa site and is planning to expand its business in the region.
The nominal output power from a FLATCON(R) CPV tracking system is 6 kW and 1 MW comprises about 175 systems, which can be deployed in 7 acres of land. IEC certification 62108 was awarded to the company for its CX-75 FLATCON(R) module recently.