NRG Energy and MidAmerican Solar recently completed the world’s largest fully-operational Photovoltaic solar facility known as Agua Caliente. Located on 2,400 acres of land between Yuma and Phoenix, Arizona, the facility can generate 290 megawatts at peak capacity. Under a 25-year power purchase agreement, the electricity generated is being sold to Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E).
Image courtesy http://energy.gov/
Image courtesy http://energy.gov/
Here are some of the solar facility’s features:
- Zero-carbon generation will displace 324,000 tons of carbon dioxide that would have been emitted into the atmosphere, which is equivalent to taking nearly 70,000 cars off the road
- The electricity generated by this clean solar power plant can support 230,000 homes at peak capacity.
- The project provides a boost to the local economy by bringing employment opportunities for local residents
- Lowest environmental impact of any PV technology
- Very little water is used for electricity generation
The project was designed and constructed by First Solar using their advanced thin-film photovoltaic modules. First Solar will operate and maintain the facility for NRG and MidAmerican Solar. The project was named Solar Project of the Year by Renewable Energy World and PV Project of the Year by Solar Power Generation USA.
