New Solar Power for California

Solar Power

Solar panels like these will help power California

On the heels of the recent cancellation of a 665.5 megawatt power contract with Tessera Solar, involving a $4.6 billion thermal solar power plant, Southern California Edison announced new contracts for different solar facilities. At the time of the cancellation last month, neither Edison nor Tessera cited the confidential specifics behind the cancellation. This new announcement likely explains the change.

The new contracts are with San Jose based SunPower Corporation and Fotowatio Renewable Ventures Inc. from Madrid. Both companies will build and operate solar photovoltaic power plants for Edison. While the deal with Fotowatio only calls for 4 relatively small 20-60 megawatt facilities, the contract with SunPower is substantially larger.

SunPower will have 3 facilities which, once fully operational, will generate about 711 of the 831 megawatts to be produced from the combined contracts. According to Edison, that’s about enough power for 540,000 homes. The first facilities are slated to come on line in 2013, for Fotowatio, and 2014 for SunPower, and all plants are forecast to be in full swing by 2016.

About D Robert Curry

D Robert Curry - with over 2 decades of experience in the IT sector and an avid aviator, Mr. Curry covers all Science & Technology and Aviation realted news stories. drcurry@newstaar.com