First Solar and PNM Sign Contract for 22 Megawatts of Solar Power for New Mexico; First Solar Acquires Portion of Project Pipeline from EMG
Source/Type: Reported News

Author: CompoundSemi News Staff

January 20, 2010... PNM, New Mexico's largest electric utility, has signed a contract with First Solar to construct 22 megawatts (MW) AC of utility scale photovoltaic (PV) solar power plants in New Mexico. First Solar also recently announced the acquisition of a portion of Edison Mission Group's (EMG) solar project development pipeline. First Solar, based in Tempe, Arizona, says it will construct the facilities for PNM using its advanced PV panels at five separate sites within PNM's service territory. The sites will be chosen based on cost, availability and suitability of land; the quality of a site's solar potential; environmental and permitting considerations; and level of local support.

"We are proud to have a company with First Solar's internationally recognized expertise and reputation building these facilities to help us meet the growing energy needs of our customers," said Pat Vincent-Collawn, PNM president and CEO.

If approved by state regulators, the 22 MW AC of new solar capacity would be the first contracted under the terms of a previous agreement PNM reached two weeks ago with state environmental, renewable energy and governmental organizations. The plan is for First Solar to deliver 45 total MW of capacity by the end of 2011. First Solar News Release.

First Solar indicated that EMG projects it acquired are largely on private land in California and the Southwest, range from 20 to 150MW, and are not yet contracted with utilities. First Solar News Release

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