Greentech Leaders: Agua Caliente Project by First Solar

First Solar has won Intersolar North America 2014 award for the Agua Caliente Solar Project, a 290 MW PV power plant in Ariz., and the largest PV project in the world.

First Solar is responsible for the engineering, construction and operation of the system using its advanced thin-film photovoltaic modules. It also operates and maintains the facility for owners NRG Energy and MidAmerican Solar. The project was completed in April 2014.

The electricity generated by Agua Caliente is enough to serve more than 225,000 homes and the project can offset 5.5 million metric tons of carbon over 25 years. The project is estimated to create 400 construction jobs.

Plant designing has been renovated to minimize land utilization, with maximum stability and cost-effectiveness. Clean energy produced is sold to Pacific Gas & Electric Company under a 25-year power purchase agreement.

Electricity is generated with zero-emission as well as minimum water consumption, and the site has employed 400 local workers for construction purpose.

The Agua Caliente Solar Project was also named Solar Project of the Year by Renewable Energy World and PV Project of the Year by Solar Power Generation USA.

(Greentech Leaders is a new series that features successful projects, technologies and persons in the renewable energy and green technology markets across the world. They are selected based on the recent awards/recognitions they procure from the industry)

editor@greentechlead.com