The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved several renewable energy contracts for Southern California Edison (SCE), and one for Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E).
The new renewable energy contracts include a PG&E's 20-year contract to buy power from Copper Mountain, a new solar PV project being developed by El Dorado Energy LLC, a subsidiary of Sempra Generation, in Boulder City, Nev.
The 48 MW project will use fixed-tilt thin-film PV panels manufactured by First Solar. CPUC's approval of the contract signals the January 2010 construction start for the facility, an expansion of Sempra Generation's existing 10 MW El Dorado Solar power plant.
When completed by late 2010, the combined 58 MW installation will become the largest operational photovoltaic solar power facility in North America, according to Sempra Generation. Together, the two facilities will utilize nearly 1 million photovoltaic panels.
SOURCES: California Public Utilities Commission, Sempra Generation
