Jan 22 2010
PNM, the largest utility in New Mexico, has signed a contract with First Solar, a leading manufacturer of solar modules, to develop 22 MW (AC) photovoltaic (PV) power plants at different sites in New Mexico.
The solar facilities will be constructed by First Solar, which is based in Arizona, at five sites that falls within the service territory of PNM. Fist Solar’s advanced solar panels will be deployed at these facilities. The five sites will be selected based on various factors including suitability and availability of land, permitting and environmental considerations, the quality of solar potential, the degree of local support and finally the cost.
Pat Vincent-Collawn, PNM president and CEO, said that the company is delighted to collaborate with First Solar for the construction of the solar power plants to meet the increasing electricity requirements of its customers. In many projects across the world, more than 1,800 MW of solar panels manufactured by First Solar has been deployed.
Bruce Sohn, First Solar president, said that the company is pleased to be partnering with PNM in New Mexico for the solar power plants and added that the PNM’s decision to utilize solar panels from First Solar reaffirms the value of PV technology can bring to utility companies that aim to generate electricity from renewable sources.
According to PNM, the electricity generated from 22 MW AC solar power plants will be enough to power more than 7,000 houses in New Mexico. Two weeks back, PNM had reached an agreement with state environmental, renewable energy and governmental organizations for an addition of 45 MW utility scale solar plants to its system during 2010-2011.
Source: www.firstsolar.com