First Solar announced Tuesday that it has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with MCE for electricity produced from 40MW of First Solar’s Little Bear PV project in Fresno County, California.
The project, which is expected to total out to 160MW in generation capacity, is expected to begin construction in 2019 — with commissioning slated for 2020.
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Brian Kunz, First Solar’s vice president of project development, said: “MCE is at the forefront of community-based power, a trend that is growing not only in California but across the United States. We are excited to partner with an early leader in this important energy segment, and we look forward to expanding the relationship as MCE’s customer base grows.”
Dawn Weisz, CEO of MCE, added: “MCE is dedicated to getting more renewable energy on the grid in California, and providing climate-friendly energy choices for customers. By empowering communities and customers with green energy choices like Light Green 50% renewable and Deep Green 100% renewable, MCE is able to stimulate build-out of California solar projects, providing a competitive new marketplace for enterprising energy suppliers like First Solar.”
As part of the agreement, MCE will initially purchase electricity from Little Bear’s 40MW first phase — with an option to expand up to the installation’s full 160MW capacity as it builds.
