Asset management firm Capital Dynamics, which has just acquired the First Solar and SunPower solar yieldco firm, 8point3 Energy Partners is to own and operate a planned 1GW PV power plant in Nevada, which includes technology infrastructure firm Switch as a major customer for the renewable energy and is based in the state.
“The foundation of Gigawatt Nevada is that Nevada should harness the sun the same way Alaska harnesses its oil to significantly benefit all Nevadans,” Rob Roy said. “Nevada enjoys the best solar window in the nation and so we Nevadans should not only be using solar for ourselves, but exporting it throughout the Western U.S. to create new jobs, tax revenue, economic diversification, and raise energy independence.”
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Switch noted that the assets would be owned and developed by Capital Dynamics, the second largest owner of solar projects in the country, according to BNEF and will include Switch as an anchor customer, and several of the Switch clients that currently partner with Switch for data centre and telecommunication services.
“This is the kind of opportunity that only very rarely presents itself,” said Benoit Allehaut, Director at Capital Dynamics. “After hearing Rob Roy's vision to build gigawatts of solar in Nevada, this was an opportunity we couldn't pass. We see a natural partnership to transform not just Nevada, but the entire Western electric grid. Switch is the leader in cooperative purchasing of telecom capacity and can take a similar leadership role in purchasing and distributing green energy.”
The project was said specifically to be built with ‘American-made solar panels’, utilizing Capital Dynamics' existing project partnerships. The project portfolio is projected to create 1,250 construction jobs at its peak of construction.
The project when built was claimed to produce among the lowest priced solar power in the world and generate enough clean energy to power nearly one million homes.
However, the press release did not say when the project would be started.