First Solar's Agua Caliente PV project reaches 250 MW of grid-connected capacity

Sep 11, 2012 - US solar module maker First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR) yesterday said its Agua Caliente solar project currently being built in Arizona, had achieved 250 MW of alternating current (AC) peak capacity connected to the grid.

The facility, currently the world's largest operating photovoltaic (PV) power plant, will have a total capacity of 290 MW AC, First Solar said. It is owned by US utility NRG Energy Inc (NYSE:NRG) and MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co, a unit of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. The project was designed by First Solar, which is constructing it using its thin-film PV modules. The solar company will also operate and maintain the facility. The power generated will be sold to Pacific Gas and Electric Company under a 25-year power purchase agreement.

Construction started in the autumn of 2010, with solar module installation kicking off in June 2011. The power plant began commercial operation in January this year when 30 MW of capacity went online. It exceeded 100 MW of power connected to the grid in the spring and 200 MW in the summer. First Solar said that construction was expected to be finished on schedule in 2014.

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