Ted Turner is behind one of the largest PV solar plants in the U.S.
Recently, news broke that Southern Company and Turner Renewable Energy (founded by CNN mogul, Ted Turner) have joined forces to help develop one of the largest solar PV power plants in the United States. Generating 30 megawatts, the photovoltaic power plant will provide solar electricity to about 9,000 households in Northern New Mexico.
Construction is slated to start soon, with completion by the end of 2010. The solar array will consist of approximately 500,000 PV solar modules using First Solar’s patented thin film semiconductor technology.
The joint venture between Southern Company and Turner Renewable Energy, “Southern Turner Renewable Energy” is newly created, having formed last month with the purpose of investing in large scale solar PV projects in the U.S. The match appears to be made in heaven, given Ted Turner’s philanthropic tendencies, massive amounts of land ownership and environmentalist qualities, and the fact that Southern Company is a giant in the energy generation field, with a desire to go greener.
On the alliance, Mr. Turner commented:
“It is great that large-scale solar photovoltaic power generation is becoming a reality in the United States. Southern Turner Renewable Energy is excited to develop and own this project and we look forward to generating clean renewable energy in New Mexico.”
The massive PV power plant was acquired from First Solar, a leader in thin film solar module manufacturing. First Solar will remain as the contractor for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), and operation and maintenance for the facility.
The solar electricity produced by the power plant will serve a 25-year power purchase agreement. Power has been purchased by a wholesale power supplier to a number of electric cooperatives that serve customers across the Western United States. Clean renewable energy will be coming across the grid in place of CO2 emitting coal!
Tags: first solar, large scale solar power, large solar, PV power plant, PV solar modules, solar photovoltaic power plant, southern company, ted turner, thin film semiconductor technology, turner renewable energy
March 26th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
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