Tessera Solar and CPS Energy have signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to develop a 27 MW solar project in west Texas using the SunCatcher power system manufactured by Tessera Solar's sister company, Stirling Energy Systems.
The PPA with San Antonio-based CPS Energy is the first Texas project for Tessera Solar. CPS Energy announced a commitment in summer 2008 to pursue up to 100 MW of resource capacity from solar energy.
The Western Ranch Solar project is expected to break ground in summer 2010, assuming timely completion of regulatory approvals, with the first units expected to come online by the end of 2010. The 27 MW solar project, comprising 1,080 SunCatcher dishes, will create 100 construction jobs and up to 20 permanent jobs, the companies note.
In addition, Western Ranch Solar can be expanded to as much as 130 MW.
SOURCES: Tessera Solar, CPS Energy
