1 November 2016

First Solar signs PPA with community choice aggregator MCE

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 – says that Californian community-based electricity provider MCE has entered into a power purchase agreement (PPA) for electricity generated from 40MWAC of First Solar's Little Bear Solar Project in Fresno County, CA. Designed to be built out eventually to 160MWAC, the project should begin construction in 2019, with commissioning expected in 2020.

As a not-for-profit community choice aggregator (CCA) in California, MCE offers their customers locally controlled renewable energy options. The Little Bear PPA is First Solar's first with a CCA.

"MCE is at the forefront of community-based power, a trend that is growing not only in California but across the United States," comments Brian Kunz, First Solar's VP of project development, who describes MCE as "an early leader in this important energy segment… We look forward to expanding the relationship as MCE's customer base grows," he adds.

"MCE is dedicated to getting more renewable energy on the grid in California," says MCE's CEO Dawn Weisz. "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."

MCE will initially purchase electricity from Little Bear's 40MWAC first phase, with an option to expand up to the project's full 160MWAC as its load increases through potential expansion.

Tags: First Solar Thin-film photovoltaic CdTe

Visit: www.firstsolar.com