PRIMM, Nev., Dec. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Local, state
and federal leaders today joined executives from NextEra Energy
Resources, the largest generator of renewable energy from the wind
and the sun, and First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) this morning to
celebrate the commissioning of Silver State South, a 250 megawatt
(MW)AC solar energy center capable of generating enough
clean energy to power approximately 80,000 homes.
"Nevada has plentiful sunshine,
and with the Silver State South Solar Energy Center we are
harvesting that valuable resource for the benefit of everyone in
this region," said Armando Pimentel,
president and CEO of NextEra Energy Resources, which will own and
operate the solar energy center. "From the jobs and tax revenue it
is creating, to the clean energy it will generate over the next 30
years, this is a project that all can take great pride in."
The Silver State South Solar Energy Center, constructed by First
Solar, features more than 3.4 million First Solar thin-film
photovoltaic (PV) solar panels mounted on single-axis trackers that
will follow the sun from east to west each day to maximize energy
production. The energy will serve Southern California Edison
consumers starting this year, under a 20-year power purchase
agreement between SCE and NextEra Energy Resources.
"First Solar's PV technology is setting the standard for
generating affordable, clean energy," said First Solar Chief
Operating Officer Tymen deJong. "By continuously driving down the
cost of solar electricity and providing a solution that addresses
energy security and water scarcity, we are delivering on our
commitment to build a more sustainable energy future."
By using renewable energy from the sun, this project will avoid
approximately 150,000 metric tons per year of carbon dioxide
emissions that would have been produced if the electricity had been
generated using fossil fuels - the equivalent of taking nearly
30,000 cars off the road. The solar energy center creates no air or
water pollution and uses no water to generate electricity. It
stretches across 2,000 acres of federal lands managed by the U.S.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
"America has made great strides in developing clean energy
sources over the past eight years," said BLM Director
Neil Kornze. "Since the beginning of the Obama
Administration, the BLM has approved 60 large-scale wind,
solar and geothermal projects that will produce enough energy
to power 5 million homes. It's exciting to see Silver State
South come online and continue the irreversible march toward
clean power for our nation."
The project has created a significant economic boost for
Clark County creating more than
2,100 jobs during the construction phase, with most of the workers
coming from the local area. From labor and materials, to housing,
health care and construction - a wide variety of local businesses
have benefitted from the influx of economic activity.
Over its operational life, the Silver State South Solar Energy
Center is expected to generate more than $78
million in property taxes to benefit local schools, first
responders and other essential services in Clark County.
"This project has provided good jobs for Clark County residents, and positive economic
activity for local businesses," said Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick. "The investment in
Nevada's workforce has had a great
positive impact on the Nevada
economy."
"The development of the Silver State South Solar
facility is a successful result of the state energy policies
and incentives," said Angela Dkyema, director of the Governor's
Office of Energy. "It highlights our commitment to position
Nevada to lead the nation in clean
energy development and exportation while also realizing the local
economic benefits such projects bring. We look forward to
seeing more solar projects of this scale locate here in
Nevada."
NextEra Energy Resources
NextEra Energy Resources,
LLC (together with its affiliated entities, "NextEra Energy
Resources"), is a clean energy leader and is one of the largest
wholesale generators of electric power in the U.S., with
approximately 18,260 megawatts of generating capacity, which
includes megawatts associated with noncontrolling interests related
to NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP), primarily in 25 states
and Canada as of April 2016. NextEra Energy Resources, together
with its affiliated entities, is the world's largest generator of
renewable energy from the wind and sun. The business operates
clean, emissions-free nuclear power generation facilities in
New Hampshire, Iowa and Wisconsin as part of the NextEra Energy
nuclear fleet, which is one of the largest in the United States. NextEra Energy Resources,
LLC is a subsidiary of Juno Beach,
Fla.-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more
information, visit www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.
First Solar, Inc.
First Solar is a leading global
provider of comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) solar systems which use
its advanced module and system technology. The company's integrated
power plant solutions deliver an economically attractive
alternative to fossil-fuel electricity generation today. From raw
material sourcing through end-of-life module recycling, First
Solar's renewable energy systems protect and enhance the
environment. For more information about First Solar, please visit
www.firstsolar.com.
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SOURCE NextEra Energy Resources, LLC