NRG Solar and SunPower agree to build 250-MW Solar Ranch in California

[jpak]

http://7thspace.com/headlines/365959/usa_nrg_solar_and_sunpower_agree_to_build_250_mw_solar_ranch_in_california.html

NRG Solarand SunPower Corp. announced groundbreaking agreements to begin construction next year of the 250-megawatt (MW) California Valley Solar Ranch in San Luis Obispo County.

The solar power plant is expected to create approximately 350 jobs during construction and will be one of the largest photovoltaic solar power plants in the world, when complete. NRG Solar plans to invest up to $450 million of equity in the project over the next four years, subject to final total project cost and negotiation of the financing terms and conditions.

Under the agreement NRG will, subject to certain conditions, assume all ownership and financing responsibilities for the California Valley Solar Ranch. SunPower will continue to develop the project, and will design, build, operate and maintain the solar power plant. Construction is expected to start in the second half of 2011, with a portion of the project expected to begin operating by the end of 2011 and the balance coming on line in 2012 and 2013.

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[Confusious]

1. Wow. $450 million for only 250 Mega watt

lets see,

$900 million for 500 Megawatt
$1.8 Billion for 1 gigawatt
$2.25 Billion for 1.25 Gigawatt.

All to be replaced every 20 years.

[txlibdem]

2. Clarification: "Up to..." and "subject to final project costs"

The group is seeking government loans for the remaining funds. The way these usually work is 50/50 government/private equity investment. So the real cost could be close to a billion for 250 MW. Not sure if that's nameplate capacity or actual output, my guess would be the former, actual output being dependent on efficiency of the entire system, exact amount of insolation per square meter, weather, etc.

That means 4 billion for 1 GW nameplate capacity. Not sure what actual output would be given 4 billion budget.

[Confusious]

4. So they're taking government funds

The taxpayer is getting stuck with it. Isn't that what SOME complain about nuclear doing?

[txlibdem]

5. True

From the link in the OP:
"The project is currently seeking a loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Loan Guarantee Program Office, which supports accelerated commercial use of innovative energy technologies to help sustain economic growth, yield environmental benefits, and produce a more stable and secure energy supply. The DOE Loan Guarantee Program Office has provided a draft term sheet for the California Valley Solar Ranch project, which is a significant milestone in the process leading to a conditional loan guarantee commitment."

[txlibdem]

3. Nice find, jpak

From a quick perusal of the sunpower site, this may be their largest project to date. We need many, many more solar power plants and far larger ones than this --but it's a good start.

Thanks for posting.

Here's some info on their utility-scale solar offering:
http://us.sunpowercorp.com/utility/products-services/
(400 watt PV panels)

:thumbsup: