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http://www.newenergyworldnetwork.com/renewable-energy-news/by-technology/solar-by-technology-renewable-energy-news/sharp-electronics-solar-modules-to-power-nrg%e2%80%99s-avenal-project.html

Sharp Electronics will supply thin-film solar modules to the Avenal photovoltaic solar facility that will be developed by global renewable energy developer Eurus Energy and NRG Solar, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG Energy.

Under a newly-signed contract between the companies, the project will use Sharp solar panels featuring a tandem-junction design that the company claims captures a wider part of the spectrum than conventional solar panels.
Engineered by Quanta Services subsidiary Ryan, the 58MW Avenal facility is due to consist of three solar projects located on agricultural land near Avenal city in Central California.
Sharp said that construction on the first two projects is due to begin imminently, shortly before construction of the third project shortly thereafter, all three of which are due to be commissioned in mid-2011.
The Avenal project will be the smallest of the three projects, with a capacity of 8MW. The largest of the three projects will be the 25MW Sun City project, nearly matched by the 24MW Sand Drag project.
Electricity from the Avenal project will be purchased by power utility PG&E under a 20-year power purchase agreement that has already secured approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
‘This project is one of the largest solar power installations in the world, and one of the largest Sharp has supplied to date. It also marks a significant step forward for California’s renewable energy efforts and we are proud that our cutting edge thin-film modules will help deliver clean power to the residents of California,’ said Sharp Energy Solutions Group’s senior vice president Eric Hafter.
Sharp will manufacture the solar panels for the project in its plant in Sakai City in the Osaka Prefecture region of Japan.