By Greentech Lead America: Kit Carson Electric
Cooperative (KCEC), a member-owned corporation supplying electricity, announced
the addition of a new 1.5 MW solar array, will be completed in May 2012. The
new array, dubbed RCCLA Amalia Solar Array 1 will supply clean energy to
customers in north central New Mexico.
It is the largest area of land with the largest number of
power consumers in New Mexico to be supplied with electricity by renewable
sources. The 14-acre array will add to power already being generated from the
Concentrated Photovoltaic 1 MW array built near Questa, New Mexico.
The 1.5 MW-DC single–axis tracking solar system consists
of 5,280 solar panels. It will produce approximately 1.25 MW of AC power, with
an expected annual output of more than 2.9 million kilowatt hours and the
carbon offsets will be equivalent to planting 221 acres of forest.
The project is made possible by the combined
efforts of the Rio Costilla Cooperative Livestock Association (RCCLA), Kit
Carson Electric Cooperative, Washington Gas Energy Systems, Standard Solar of
Rockville and support from Amalia Construction Company.
“This project represents a unique collaboration between
entities that, while very different, have common goals. In addition, this array
is helping create local jobs as well as provide energy independence by
generating enough electricity to power 376 average New Mexico homes for an
entire year,” said Luis Reyes, CEO of KCEC.
Virginia-based Washington Gas Energy Systems will own and
operate the system and Standard Solar of Rockville, Maryland installed the
system with project management by Paradise Power Company of Taos, NM.
“We are pleased to invest in this significant solar
project as it supports our mission to own and operate renewable energy assets
for the betterment of our environment and advancing our country’s energy
independence,” said Sanjiv Mahan, vice president of Business Development for
Washington Gas Energy Systems.
Last year, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) presented
Washington Gas Energy Services with the 2011 Green Power Supplier of the Year
Award in the non-utility category.