Solar Projects Set for California

Friday, 24 September 2010 09:21

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Eurus Energy America and NRG Solar are collaborating to build the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) generating facility in California. When operating at full capacity, the three Avenal zero-emission solar projects—Avenal Park, Sun City, and Sand Drag—will generate a total of 45 megawatts (MW). That is enough power to meet the needs of 36,000 homes.

The Avenal projects, located in Kings County, CA, were developed by Eurus, are owned jointly by Eurus and NRG Solar, and constructed by the Ryan Company, with thin film solar panels provided by Sharp Electronics. The projects are expected to start commercial operation in mid-2011 and will advance California’s progress toward achieving its target goal of achieving 33 percent renewable power production by 2020. The California Public Utilities Commission has approved the 20-year Avenal power purchase agreements with Pacific Gas & Electric.

Tom Doyle, President of NRG Solar says, “We believe Avenal represents not only a bold new chapter in developing clean, zero-emission solar power in California, but also is a key piece in helping the state meet its ambitious renewable portfolio standard by the end of the decade. California continues to lead our nation in mandating the increasing use of renewable power, and, as the owners of the largest PV site there today, we look forward to continuing our partnership with California and our leadership as a developer of this bountiful, sustainable power source.”

Eurus Energy America President and CEO, Mark E. Anderson, adds, “The Avenal projects are just the first of many utility-scale PV solar projects that we expect to be developing, building and owning in the State of California. We are very pleased to be adding these solar power projects to our portfolio of wind projects helping California reach its nation-leading goals to increase the utilization of emission-free power generation.”

Headquartered in San Diego, California, Eurus Energy America is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Tokyo-based Eurus Energy Holdings and is responsible for North American renewable energy investment.

NRG Energy operates one of the United States’ largest power generation portfolios. NRG’s retail business, Reliant Energy, serves 1.6 million residential, commercial, industrial, and business customers in Texas.