News | Energy Efficiency

http://www.newenergyworldnetwork.com/renewable-energy-news/by-technology/solar/tenaska-solar-ventures-selects-soitec-for-150mw-cpv-plant.html

Renewable energy company Tenaska Solar Ventures has selected Soitec’s Concentrix concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) technology to produce 150MW of clean energy for San Diego Gas & Electric.

Soitec is a supplier of advanced solutions for electronics and energy industries. Its Concentrix CPV technology converts sunlight directly into clean electricity via concentrator optics and high efficiency solar cells. This process does not emit noise or greenhouse gases and does not require water for ongoing operations.
The CPV system is also less affected by temperature than other photovoltaic systems. Its two-axis tracker produces high and constant power production output throughout daylight hours.
Soitec will build a 200MW CPV manufacturing facility in the San Diego area, which will also provide modules to other utility-scale solar power projects throughout the south-west.
The new CPV solar power plant, Imperial Solar Energy Center (ISEC) West, will be constructed on 1,057 acre site in southern California. It will produce enough electricity to meet annual needs of abut 55,000 Californian homes
San Diego Gas & Electric signed a 25-year power-purchase agreement with the subsidiary of Tenaska Solar Ventures, CSOLAR Development.
Dave Fiorelli, president of Tenaska’s Development Group, said, ‘The ISEC West solar power plant will demonstrate Concentrix CPV scalability, and commercial viability of this innovative technology for utility scale deployment. We are excited to work with Soitec and SDG&E to bring clean energy to the homes and businesses of Southern California.’
The ISEC West project applied for US Department of Energy loan guarantee. After receiving the guarantee, Soitec will implement capacity investments to construct manufacturing facility and pursue options for related financing. Construction of the solar power plant will begin in 2013 and is predicted to be complete in 2015.
André-Jacques Auberton-Hervé, CEO and chairman of the board of, Soitec, said ‘Our CPV systems are perfectly suited for the very high solar irradiance prevalent in the Imperial Valley. As a CPV leader, we are very committed to the US market and look forward to increasing our presence in the San Diego community by contributing to the emerging renewable energy ecosystem in the region.’