First Solar secures 300MW power purchase agreement with PG&E

Mar 9, 2010 - Mark Osborne - PV-tech.org

The 550MW Desert Sunlight project planned by First Solar in eastern Riverside County, California, looks to be set to go ahead now that a power purchase agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has been signed for the remaining 300MW plant. First Solar had previously signed a 250MW supply deal with Southern California Edison for the Desert Sunlight power plant. Approval is still required from the California Public Utilities Commission, and the project is expected to start by the end of 2010 for completion in 2013.

"First Solar is one of the few companies that has all the capabilities required to realize very large, utility-scale solar projects like Desert Sunlight, which are important in helping our customers and California reach the state's renewable energy goals," said Rob Gillette, First Solar CEO.

First Solar noted that it now has 1,700MW of utility-scale power projects with PPAs in North America.