The arrival of utility-scale photovoltaic solar power

One of the largest photovoltaic solar projects in the world will be located in California to deliver 1.65 billion kilowatt-hours of renewable energy annually - enough to serve approximately 239,000 residential homes each year.

 

Pacific Gas and Electric Company has entered into an agreement with Topaz Solar Farms LLC, a subsidiary of OptiSolar Inc., for 550 MW of thin-film PV solar power. The utility company also signed a contract with High Plains Ranch II, LLC, a subsidiary of SunPower Corporation, for 250 MW of high-efficiency PV solar power.

 

The project which consists of two vast solar farms covering more than 12 square miles will contribute to San Luis Obispo County's and the State's objectives for clean, renewable energy sources. California's Renewable Portfolio Standard requires that utilities secure at least 20 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2010. The State has also set a goal of increasing renewables to 33 percent by 2020.

 

"These landmark agreements signal the arrival of utility-scale PV solar power that may be cost-competitive with solar thermal and wind energy," said Jack Keenan, chief operating officer and senior vice president for PG&E. "We will continue to explore such innovative technologies as we aggressively work to increase the amount of renewable energy we provide our customers."

 

Utility-scale PV solar projects feature photovoltaic solar modules, which convert sunlight directly into electricity and produce the greatest amounts of power during the afternoons, when electricity demand is high.

 

Both projects are contingent upon the extension of the federal investment tax credit for renewable energy and processes to expedite transmission needs. According to the US Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the current U.S. tax incentives for renewable energy, in particular solar energy, are set to expire on December 31, 2008. The U.S. Congress generally agrees that it is desirable for the investment tax credit (ITC) to be extended, but the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate are at a political impasse as to how to accomplish the extension.

 

The first project is expected to begin power delivery in 2010 with SunPower's planned 250 MW solar ranch which will utilize their proprietary crystalline PV solar cells, generating up to 50 percent more power than conventional crystalline cells. The company will install its patented SunPower(R) Tracker solar tracking systems at the site, which tilt toward the sun as it moves across the sky, increasing energy capture by up to 30 percent over fixed systems, while reducing land-use requirements.

 

The following year will see power delivery from the 550 MW Topaz Solar Farm project which will utilize relatively low-cost, thin-film PV panels designed and manufactured by OptiSolar, delivering approximately 1,100,000 megawatt-hours annually of renewable electricity.

 

Both projects will be fully operational by 2013.

 

For more attend Printed Electronics Asia 2008  or Printed Electronics USA 2008 .

 

Also read Printed and Thin Film Photovoltaics and Batteries .

 

Source of photo: © 2008 David Lena