Greentech Lead America: SolFocus has joined hands with
Mexican real estate developer Grupo Musa and U.S.-based energy developer
Synergy Technologies to launch a solar power plant in Mexico.
The project will have a total capacity of 450 MW. It will
be built in 50 megawatt tranches, with construction on the first tranche
starting in late 2012 and being operational before the end of 2013.
The power plant will use SolFocus Concentrator
Photovoltaic equipment. It will be owned and operated by SolMex Energy, a new
company formed by Grupo Musa and Synergy Technologies for producing clean solar
energy in Mexico.
“The project is in direct alignment with the Mexico and
U.S. bilateral clean energy agenda. The countries share a common goal of
achieving strong economic growth and energy security while addressing climate
change and increasing the reliability of energy infrastructure,” said Lic.
David Munoz, director general of the Baja California State Commission of
Energy.
Grupo Musa will be consuming most of the initial 50 MW
installation to meet energy demands at its various facilities.
“There is no doubt that Baja California faces energy
challenges, and we are excited that we are able to utilize two of our key
resources — abundant land and solar fuel — to enhance the environmental and
economic sustainability of Northern Mexico,” said Ing. Marcos Sarabia Rodelo,
director of Special Projects for Grupo Musa.
Northern Mexico has the third greatest solar resource in
the world, making it an ideal location for this project.
“While Tecate is a solar-rich region, the hot
temperatures make it a challenging environment for traditional solar
equipment,” said Synergy Technologies CEO Matt Piell.
“Building on the track record of SolFocus projects in the
southwest U.S. and Mexico, this project in Mexico will turn dormant land into
jobs and low-cost, reliable electricity,” said SolFocus CEO Mark Crowley.
In the first year of operation SolFocus should deliver at
least 120,000 megawatt hours of electricity to Baja California. The power plant
will incorporate 3,850 SolFocus SF-1136SX systems on the 122 hectare site.