Omaha, Neb., September 27, 2011 — In a major step in the development of the Imperial Solar Energy Center South, Tenaska Solar Ventures, the solar energy affiliate of Tenaska, has selected First Solar to be the technology provider and engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the project.
First Solar will provide EPC services, using advanced thin film photovoltaic modules for the solar generating plant to be located on about 950 acres in the southern part of Imperial County.
The proposed Imperial Solar Energy Center South will be a ground-mounted PV solar power generating system with a capacity of about 130 MW of electricity. PV technology converts sunlight directly into electricity with panels using semiconductors that do not produce noise or emit any greenhouse gases.
When operating at peak times, the project will produce enough electricity to meet the needs of at least 44,000 California homes. The electricity produced by the project will be sold under a 25-year power-purchase agreement to San Diego Gas & Electric.
First Solar, formed in 1999 and headquartered in Tempe, Ariz., is a world leader in the manufacture of advanced, thin film PV solar modules, with over 4 GW of working installations worldwide and factory production of 2 GW of modules per year, and is a premier provider of comprehensive PV solar systems.
The project is expected to create about 250 jobs at peak construction and four to five direct, long-term jobs to support ongoing operations. Construction is expected to begin in late 2011, with commercial operation in 2014.
Tenaska Solar Ventures will manage the Imperial Solar Energy Center South project for CSOLAR IV South, LLC, which will develop, own and operate the project. Both Tenaska Solar Ventures and CSOLAR IV South, LLC are affiliates of Tenaska.
