3 September 2015

Southern Power acquires controlling stake in 300MW Desert Stateline Facility from First Solar

Marking a major milestone in the strategic expansion of its renewable generation portfolios, Atlanta-based Southern Company subsidiary Southern Power has acquired a controlling interest in its largest solar asset - the 300MW Desert Stateline Facility in California - from First Solar Inc of Tempe, AZ, USA, which makes thin-film photovoltaic modules based on cadmium telluride (CdTe) as well as providing engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) services. First Solar will retain the remaining stake. The project represents the fourth shared acquisition between Southern Power and First Solar.

"By continuing to leverage Southern Company's and First Solar's complementary strengths, we are accelerating the development of solar as an important component of a diverse fuel mix now and in the future," comments Southern Company's chairman, president & CEO Thomas A. Fanning. 

Southern Power's seventh solar acquisition in California, the Desert Stateline Facility will be located on 1685 acres of federally managed public land in San Bernardino County and is expected to consist of about 3.2 million of First Solar's solar modules mounted on fixed-tilt tables. Once operational, the facility is expected to be capable of generating enough electricity to help meet the energy needs of nearly 100,000 average homes.

"Our strategic relationship capitalizes on each company's core competencies," says First Solar's CEO Jim Hughes. "We are actively discussing ways to continue and broaden this relationship," he adds. "This facility and other similar facilities allow leading energy companies to place First Solar's advanced thin film PV technology at the heart of utility-scale generation facilities, enabling power providers to include competitive, reliable renewable energy in their portfolios."

First Solar is building and will operate and maintain the Desert Stateline Facility. Construction began in October 2014 and is expected to be completed in phases. The plant is slated to be fully operational in third-quarter 2016.
The electricity and associated renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by the facility will be sold under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Southern California Edison Company.

Southern Power assembled its renewable portfolio (which now totals more than 1450MW of generating capacity ownership either already in operation or under development) through the strategic development of 20 solar, wind and biomass projects across the USA. Southern Company has added or announced more than 3300MW of renewable projects since 2012.

Southern Power says that the Desert Stateline Facility fits its business strategy of growing its wholesale business through the acquisition and construction of generating assets substantially covered by long-term contracts.

See related items:

Southern Power acquires controlling stake in First Solar's 32MW Lost Hills-Blackwell project

First Solar sells 150MW Solar Gen 2 project to Southern Power

Tags: First Solar Thin-film photovoltaic CdTe

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