http://www.newenergyworldnetwork.com/renewable-energy-news/by-technology/solar-by-technology-renewable-energy-news/iberdola-solar-power-earmarked-for-xcel-company.html

Iberdrola Renewables has secured the sale of the entire output of a 30MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project that it is looking to develop in the northern region of Alamosa County in the US state of Colorado to a subsidiary of Xcel Energy.

Colorado has garnered an increasing amount of attention from renewable energy companies recently, this week becoming home to the world’s largest wind turbine tower manufacturing facility set up by Vestas.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said, ‘Colorado is committed to the development of a clean energy economy.’
Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo), an Xcel Energy company, has agreed to purchase all the electricity from Iberdrola’s San Luis Valley Solar Ranch project, which is expected to be one of its first solar projects to reach completion in the US.
The project itself signals Iberdrola’s expansion into the solar business, having historically relied on developing wind projects for its utility customers.
The competitively-bid agreement with PSCo marks Iberdrola Renewables’ sixth transaction with Xcel Energy companies, representing over 400MW of clean power in total.
Xcel Energy vice president for commercial operations Tom Imbler said, ‘This part of Colorado has been identified as one of the best locations in all of the US for the securing energy from the sun, and Iberdrola Renewables’ investment shows the potential of this region of our state, now and well into the future.’
Iberdrola Renewables will own and operate the San Luis Valley Solar Ranch, which following the start of construction later this year is scheduled to become operational towards the end of 2011.
The solar plant is located on 320 acres of former agricultural land near the town of Mosca, which is considered to have one of the best resources in the country for solar power.
Iberdrola Renewables executive vice president Martin Mugica said, ‘Tapping into limitless, homegrown sources of power is how Iberdrola Renewables will continue to grow, and meet the needs of its customers.’