By Greentech Lead America: El Paso Electric Company
(EPE), the regional electric utility in Las Cruces, and SunEdison,
a solar energy services provider and subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials,
officially inaugurated the 12 MW Las Cruces Centennial Solar Farm..
The Las Cruces Centennial Solar Farm was activated in May
2012 and is part of EPE’s ongoing strategy to increase renewable energy as part
of the generation mix used to meet its customers’ demand.
“This project highlights El Paso Electric’s
commitment to advance the development of renewable energy resources and be a
leader in the solar industry,” said Tom Shockley, CEO of EL Paso Electric.
The project located near Las Cruces International Airport
and covers approximately 140 acres. The solar farm is comprised of more than 48,000 of MEMC’s
Silvantis P280 photovoltaic modules and is expected to produce more than 32
million kilowatt hours of clean solar energy in the first year alone.
The system is expected to offset more than 1.1 billion
pounds of CO2 over the 25 years. That is equivalent to removing more than
112,000 cars off the road over 25 years, or approximately 4,400 cars per year.
The project was constructed and financed by SunEdison.
SunEdison will oversee operation and maintenance of the power plant over the 25
year contract period. EPE will purchase all the energy produced from the solar
farm under a power purchase agreement between SunEdison and EPE.
EPE and SunEdison plan to activate a second solar farm
located in Chaparral, NM. The 10MW solar farm is expected to be completed in
the coming weeks.
“With demonstrated experience and proven
technologies and processes, SunEdison is able to provide smart, affordable,
solar energy solutions to our utility customers across the globe. SunEdison is
proud of the work accomplished with EPE and commends their leadership and
continued commitment to renewable energy,” said Tim Derrick, general manager,
SunEdison, North America.
SunEdison completes 25 MW solar power plant in Gujarat
SunEdison recently completed 25 MW solar photovoltaic
power plant in Gujarat, India. With the completion of this plant, SunEdison has
now activated a total of 45 MW as part of the Gujarat Solar Program.
editor@greentechlead.com