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In a dual project announcement, First Solar has announced that it is to provide all engineering and installation services for the construction of a 2MW rooftop solar PV power project in Fontana, California for Southern California Edison (SCE). The second announcement is for a 20-year power purchase agreement for energy generated by a further planned Blythe-based power plant. First Solar’s construction of the Blythe facility, which will have a minimum output of 7.5MW with an optional maximum of 21MW, is expected to begin in 2009.

The rooftop plant will be the first step in SCE’s plan to install 250MW of solar generating capacity on large commercial rooftops in the Southern California area over the next five years. Connection to the supply grid is anticipated in September 2008.

The planned project in Blythe, California, will be the largest ground-based PV power plant in the state. First Solar will take responsibility for all the engineering, procurement and construction of plant, and will also provide maintenance services for the plant’s lifetime.

“These projects represent significant steps towards the deployment of low cost, solar electric generation resources for California,” said Mike Ahearn, CEO of First Solar. “First Solar looks forward to developing these and other projects which will move California closer to its renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals.”

By Síle Mc Mahon