Wind Energy

Photovoltaic solar energy project receives first loan

Exelon and First Solar said the Antelope Valley Solar Ranch One project in Los Angeles County, Calif., has received the first advance of a loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office, finalizing Exelon’s ownership of the project.

First Solar is constructing the 230 MW photovoltaic solar power project and will operate and maintain the project for Exelon. As Exelon and First Solar previously announced, the first portion of the project is expected to come online in late 2012, with full operation planned for late 2013. As Exelon and First Solar previously announced, the first portion of the project is expected to come online in late 2012, with full operation planned for late 2013.

AV Solar Ranch One will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 75,000 average California homes — with no water use, no air emissions and no waste production — displacing approximately 140,000 metric tons of carbon emissions per year, the equivalent of taking approximately 30,000 cars off the road. The project has a 25-year power purchase agreement, approved by the California Public Utilities Commission, with Pacific Gas & Electric Company for the full output of the plant.

Exelon Corporation is the nation’s leading competitive energy provider, with approximately $33 billion in annual revenues. Headquartered in Chicago, Exelon has operations and business activities in 47 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. Exelon is the largest competitive U.S. power generator, with approximately 35,000 megawatts of owned capacity comprising one of the nation’s cleanest and lowest-cost power generation fleets. The company’s Constellation business unit provides energy products and services to approximately 100,000 business and public sector customers and approximately 1 million residential customers. Exelon’s utilities deliver electricity and natural gas to approximately 6.6 million customers in central Maryland (BGE), northern Illinois (ComEd) and southeastern Pennsylvania (PECO).

First Solar manufactures solar modules with an advanced semiconductor technology, and is a premier provider of comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) system solutions. The company is delivering an economically viable alternative to fossil-fuel generation today. From raw material sourcing through end-of-life collection and recycling, First Solar is focused on creating value-driven renewable energy solutions that protect and enhance the environment.

www.firstsolar.com