Department of Energy Offers Support for Arizona Solar Power Project (290 MW)

"Solar projects like this are helping the U.S. to compete globally for the clean energy jobs of today and the future," said Secretary Chu. "The Obama Administration is committed to bringing innovative renewable energy technologies to the market to support the country’s transition to a clean energy economy."

According to NRG estimates, the Agua Caliente Solar project will create 400 construction jobs in addition to generating state and local tax revenues. The company anticipates the project will avoid approximately 237,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to taking over 40,000 cars off the road annually. In addition, at full capacity, NRG estimates the project will also provide clean, emissions-free electricity for approximately 100,000 homes.

The Agua Caliente Solar project will deploy fault ride-through and dynamic voltage regulation, technologies that are new to solar power plants in the United States. These technologies will improve the reliability and predictability of the electricity generated by solar power plants and supplied to the electricity grid. Pacific Gas & Electric Company will purchase power generated from the project and deliver clean, renewable electricity to California consumers.

The Department of Energy, through the Loan Programs Office, has issued loan guarantees or offered conditional commitments for loan guarantees totaling over $17 billion to support 17 clean energy projects. Together, these projects will produce over 37 million megawatt-hours, enough clean energy to power approximately 3.5 million homes. Additional DOE-supported projects include two of the world’s largest solar thermal projects, the world’s largest wind farm and the nation’s first nuclear power plant in three decades.

lpo.energy.gov/