A new solar power project is expected to become the world’s largest concentrating photovoltaic solar power facility.
Recently, Cogentrix Energy LLC, which is a ruling electric power generation-projects-development company, revealed that they are joining in on a contract with the Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo), Xcel Energy Company. They are going to establish a solar facility near to Alamosa, in the Southern Colorado. The project is going to be completed by the second quarter of 2012, with a potential solar energy capacity of 30,000 KW.
The president of Cogentrix Energy, Tom Bonner said, “Our focus has always been on developing quality power generation facilities that deliver reliable power to our customers,” In the past, Cogentrix Energy has been involved with lasting business relations with Xcel Energy and other electric generating project companies. Bonner is eager to assure that their contribution to the renewable energy requirement is effectively met.
The solar systems that are going to be used for the concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) will be provided by Amonix Inc. The corporation is currently a leading designer and manufacturer of concentrating photovoltaic systems. They supply a CPV technology having optics and dual-axis tracking systems to maximize the exposure of sunlight to the photovoltaic cells. The result of using high-technology systems provided by Amonix is that this CPV facility will be able to produce more energy per acre than other solar generating systems. A total of 30,000 KW of solar energy will be supplied to Xcel energy’s customers, which will be sufficient to power roughly 6500 homes.
In San Luis Valley of Colorado, next to a current transmission system of Xcel Energy, estimated 225 acres of land will be used to erect this innovative solar facility. According to research, San Luis Valley of Colorado is one of the finest locations to generate solar energy in the United States. It has a high altitude and an abundance of sunshine.
The local permits have already been approved to Cogentrix, and they are presently securing capital for the project. The construction of the facility is predicted to commence in the First quarter of 2011. In the second quarter of 2012, the facility will be operational providing electricity to Xcel Energy’s customers over a long-term contract of 20-years.
The CEO of Cogentrix as well as a Managing Director of Goldman Sachs, Robert Mancini said that the company is enthusiastic to be a forerunner in the green evolution as “… more sustainable electric power generation is going to become a larger component of the nation’s energy…”
The focus of Cogentrix is to develop renewable power. It is involved in solar technology; solar photovoltaic & concentrated photovoltaic. Currently, the company considers that solar energy will become one of the key energy sources of the future in the United States of America. The trend is steadily heading towards that direction as material cost is falling and the efficiency of both manufacturing and generating electricity from solar energy is improving. The government has supported this expansion effectively with solid financial incentives offered.
Cogentrix has a widespread portfolio of projects, more than 300 MW of renewable power, which are in the pipeline over the long-term.
According to Xcel Energy, solar installation at San Luis Valley is a proceeding move towards the renewable energy commitment in Colorado.
Source: World of Renewables
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