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Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and U.S. Senator
Ken Salazar Break Ground on 8.22-Megawatt Photovoltaic Solar Plant
ALAMOSA, Colo., Apr 23, 2007 -- BUSINESS WIRE
An 82-acre tract in south central Colorado will be the site for one of the largest photovoltaic power plants in the United States. Dignitaries including Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, U.S. Senator Ken Salazar, and executives from SunEdison and Xcel Energy spoke at today's groundbreaking ceremony for the 8.22-megawatt Alamosa Photovoltaic Solar Plant. The solar plant is financed and will be built and maintained by SunEdison, North America's leading solar energy services provider. Xcel Energy will buy the solar power generated by the Alamosa plant, which is scheduled for completion by early 2008. "The San Luis Valley will be home to one of the nation's largest photovoltaic plants. This plant brings rural economic development and clean, reliable, domestic-sourced energy which advances Colorado to a New Energy Economy," said Governor Ritter. "This project could not be done without the support and commitment of Colorado citizens, Xcel Energy and SunEdison. As the first and only state to pass an RES by initiative, Colorado is a leader in today's renewable energy economy. " "With wind farms across the plains, new bio-diesel and ethanol plants, the National Renewable Energy Lab, innovative businesses like SunEdison and Xcel Energy and this solar energy project, Colorado really is the renewable energy capital of the Nation," said U.S. Senator Ken Salazar. "Combined with responsible development of fossil fuels and new technologies, renewable energy resources will help to secure our energy independence, strengthen our national and economic security and conserve our natural resources. And, solar energy will play an ever increasing role in that independence movement. This solar plant project, near my home in the San Luis Valley, will help bring new investments and new jobs to Colorado and I am proud to participate in this groundbreaking event." The photovoltaic installation is being built under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between SunEdison, North America's leading solar energy services provider, and Xcel Energy. Under the agreement, Xcel Energy will purchase the clean, solar power from SunEdison. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory rates the San Luis Valley as having the best solar power conditions in Colorado. Upon completion, the Alamosa solar power plant will have an immediate and measurable impact upon the local environment and community. The plant will create enough clean energy to power nearly 1,500 homes a year. In addition, the plant will generate enough clean energy to remove the carbon emissions produced by 2,840 cars driving 12,500 miles annually or roughly 710,000,000 miles over 20 years. The Alamosa Photovoltaic Solar Plant is important to the area's economy. Building the solar power plant will create approximately 50 new jobs in Alamosa and the San Luis Valley. Once completed, the plant will provide ongoing employment for a small maintenance crew located in Alamosa. "By purchasing the clean energy from this solar power plant, we continue to enhance our reputation as a leader in the utility industry in protecting the environment. We are committed to meeting our customers' energy needs and to providing 20 percent of our power from renewable energy sources by 2020. We can meet these goals quickly and efficiently by working with providers such as SunEdison to receive clean energy from facilities just like this," said Pat Vincent, president and CEO, Public Service Co. of Colorado, an Xcel Energy Company. "Xcel Energy is clearly committed to providing clean energy for its customers. As the leading solar energy services provider, we are proud to be working with Xcel Energy on the Alamosa solar power plant. Xcel Energy and Colorado are leaders in creating policies and solutions that meet energy needs and benefit citizens and the environment," said Jigar Shah, CEO of SunEdison. Note to editors: Photos and video from the April 23, 2007 groundbreaking are available. About The Alamosa Photovoltaic Solar Plant The Alamosa Photovoltaic Solar Plant is an 8.22-megawatt (MW) facility that covers roughly 80 acres of land in Alamosa and San Luis Valley in Colorado. When completed, the facility will generate 17,000 MW hours annually, delivering sufficient clean energy to power 1,500 homes. The Alamosa Photovoltaic Solar Plant will generate enough clean energy to remove the carbon emissions produced by 2,840 cars driving 12,500 miles annually or roughly 710,000,000 miles over 20 years. About Xcel Energy Xcel Energy (NYSE:XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company with regulated operations in eight Western and Midwestern states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.3 million electricity customers and 1.8 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com. About SunEdison Sun Edison, LLC, is North America's leading solar energy services provider. SunEdison provides solar-generated energy at or below current retail utility rates to a broad and diverse client base of commercial, municipal and utility customers. For more information about SunEdison, please visit www.sunedison.com. The company headquarters is in Beltsville, Md. SOURCE: SunEdison News Provided By |
