Feb 5 2010
SunEdison, MEMC Electronic Materials’ subsidiary and largest provider of solar energy services in North America, announced the activation of the first phase of the company’s 16-MW solar farm located in Davidson County, North Carolina.
The first phase of the solar farm comprises more than 14,000 solar panels with the capability to generate more than 4 MW and produce more than 6 million kilowatt hours of electricity during the first year of its operation. Under a 20-year contract, 100% of the power output from the solar farm is being purchased by Duke Energy.
The solar farm will be generating 115 million kilowatt hours of electricity for the contracted period, that is, for 20 years. The electricity generated for the entire period is enough to meet the power requirements of 10,000 average households for one year. The solar farm during the course of its lifetime will also prevent 225 million pounds carbon dioxide emissions that would have occurred from a conventional coal-burning plant to produce the equivalent amount of energy.
Carlos Domenech, President of SunEdison, said that the first phase activation is a significant milestone for the company to achieve the projected 16 MW of solar energy from this project. Domenech added that the company is getting ready to start the next phase of the project having activated the first phase.
Source: www.sunedison.com