PV developers Gestamp Solar and 8minutenergy Renewables are planning to jointly build a 50MW solar farm in California.
The two companies have signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to sell power from the 50MW Midway Solar Farm in Imperial County, to California's largest utility, Pacific Gas and Electric.
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Working alongside Gestamp is 83WI 8ME, a subsidiary of California-based 8minutenergy Renwables.
The PPA contract is pending approval from the California Public Utilities Commission.
The proposed PV solar farm will span 486 acres and implement a solar tracking system with construction to begin in 2015 and the plant scheduled to be operational by 2016.
Under the PPA, Midway Solar Farm will not deliver electricity to Pacific Gas and Electric until 2020.
The solar park will generate 125 million kW hours annually – enough to power 23,000 Californian households.
More than 120 jobs are hoped to be created during construction and the solar park will also help California meet its renewable energy goals. Martin Hermann, chief executive officer of 8minutenergy Renewables said the new project should help combat Imperial county’s high unemployment rates.
“Strong support from state, county and local officials has been instrumental to the progress of this project.” added Tom Buttgenbach, president of 8minutenergy Renewables.
