First Solar resumes installation of modules at AV Solar Ranch One

First Solar has reached an agreement regarding the DoE loan funded AV Solar Ranch One in Antelope Valley, the company has announced. The company has resumed the installation of its PV modules at the PV plant after being forced to temporarily cease construction in order to deal with module code certification issues. First Solar and the Los Angeles Country Department of Public Works have now reached an agreement and the company is able to continue constructing the 230MW project. Construction of the PV plant began in August 2011 and the project is expected to be completed in 2013.

“As the first utility-scale solar PV project in Los Angeles County, this was the county's first opportunity to apply its codes to a facility of this magnitude, which required significant time and effort for everyone involved,” Jim Lamon, First Solar senior vice president of engineering, procurement and construction and operations and maintenance said about the commitment from Public Works to have the modules approved. “After a very collaborative process, we are confident we have the county's support to keep the project moving to completion, and that this process has paved the way for future projects in the region, which has great potential for solar energy production.”