Solar Power News

Southern California Edison, a unit of Rosemead-established Edison International, has recently signed agreements with two firms for constructing and operating 7 solar power plants. The latter would include one that is claimed to be amongst the biggest solar photovoltaic installations found in the United States.

The facilities are anticipated to be finished by the year 2016. It would supplement a sum of 831 megawatts capacity, sufficient to provide energy to 540,000 houses. This signifies a considerable rise in Edison’s ability to generate power from the sun as well as other renewable sources.

In accordance to the vice president of Southern California Edison, for alternative and renewable power, Marc Ulrich, this is an unparalleled period for solar photovoltaic. He adds that they have been witnessing a growth in technological progress and manufacturing efficiencies whose consequence is competitive prices for emission-free and green energy for their clients.

Edison provided its clients with 13.6 kilowatt hours of energy generated from renewable sources in the year 2009. This represents 17 percent of its general power generation. Consistent with the utility’s website, this electricity was produced from 3,296 megawatts of geothermal, wind, biomass, solar and small hydropower facilities; the solar standing for merely 382 megawatts of capacity. While the spokeswoman of Edison, Vanessa McGrady, declared that the sum for solar and other renewable energy had risen since that time, she was not more precise.

The more significant of the two contracts deals with San Jose-based SunPower Corp.; it will construct and operate 3 installations that will be adding up to 711 megawatts, comprising of a 325 megawatt facility found in Rosamond, California, north of Lancaster. This installation will be done in the year 2016. It will be among the nation’s largest one.

A photovoltaic operation of 276 megawatt will also be built in Rosamond by SunPower. It plans to open its doors in the year 2016. Another facility of 110 megawatt will be operational in 2014 in Los Banos.

In accordance to the president of SunPower’s utility and power plants business group, Howard Wenger, the agreement reflects the increasing value of solar photovoltaic technology like a cost-effective and reliable source of energy generated either across the rooftops or like a central-station power plant.

The other Edison deal implicates Fotowatio Renewable Ventures Inc.. Fotowatio Renewable Ventures Inc. headquarters are found in Madrid. It has an office in San Francisco as well.

The company will need to construct four smaller installations in Arvin, Lamont, Lancaster and Mojave. The capacity of the latter will range between 20 to 60 megawatts. They are thought to be functional by the end of the year 2013.