DOE Offers Loan Guarantee for Cogentrix's Utility Scale, High Concentration Photovoltaic Energy Project
Source/Type: News - Staff reports

Author: CompoundSemi News Staff

May 16, 2011... The U.S. Department of Energy is conditionally committing to a $90.6 million loan guarantee for Cogentrix of Alamosa, Colorado. The loan guarantee will support the construction of the 30 MW Alamosa Solar Generating Project, a high concentration solar photovoltaic (HCPV) generation project in south-central Colorado near the city of Alamosa. Cogentrix estimates the project will create about 75 construction jobs and 10 operations jobs. The company expects that the project will source over 80 percent of its components from the U.S.

The project will use HCPV systems consisting of concentrating optics and multi-junction solar cell panels, which are controlled with a dual-axis tracking system that rotates and tilts the cells throughout the day so the surface of the solar panel maintains an optimal angle with respect to the sun. The DOE says that the multi-junction solar cells are nearly 40 percent efficient or about double that of more traditional PV panels. The electric output of the project will go to Public Service Company of Colorado. The facility will produce approximately 75,000 megawatt hours of clean renewable energy per year, enough to power over 6,500 homes.

"Colorado has long been a leader in the development and deployment of renewable energy, and this project builds on that record," said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. "By deploying an innovative, commercially-ready technology at utility scale, the Alamosa Solar Generating Project is increasing the generation of clean, renewable power, creating jobs and strengthening the U.S. economy."

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