A slew of solar projects have been given the go ahead in recent weeks in US and Spain.

In the US, developer SolarReserve’s 150 MW solar power tower project has been approved by California Energy Commission. The Rice Solar Energy Project, which uses Pratt Whitney & Rocketdyne’s advanced molten salt technology, will be constructed 30 miles northwest of Blythe in eastern Riverside County.

The project, which will generate enough power for around 68,000 homes, has a purchase agreement with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E).

Meanwhile, NRG Solar and SunPower have reached agreement to begin construction next year on the 250 MW California Valley Solar Ranch in San Luis Obispo.

NRG Solar plans to invest up to $450 million in the project over the next four year, which will generate enough to power around 100,000 homes. The developers are seeking a loan guarantee from the US Department of Energy as well.

SunPower has also announced an agreement with Spanish developer Iberdrola Renewables to design and build a 20 MW photovoltaic solar plant at Copper Crossing in Arizona.

The two companies have also agreed to design and build a 30 MW solar power plant in Alamosa County, Colorado.

In Nevada, Sempra Generation, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy, has completed construction of the 48 MW Copper Mountain Solar facility.

The plant in Boulder City, 40 miles southeast of Las Vegas, will generate enough energy for around 14,000 homes. The Copper Mountain Solar facility is adjacent to Sempra Generation’s 10 MW El Dorado Solar plant and the output from both is being sold to PG&E.

Away from the US, Fidelis Energy has reached an agreement with ASD Lusiona Solar to develop a 100 MW solar park in Spain.

For further information:
www.SolarReserve.com
www.nrgenergy.com
www.sunpowercorp.com
www.iberdrolarenewables.us/
www.sempra.com
www.fidelisenergyinc.com