- News
15 March 2018
First Solar chosen by Vectren for 50MW solar array in Southwestern Indiana
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Cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film photovoltaic module maker First Solar Inc of Tempe, AZ, USA says that it has been selected to build the 50MW solar array outlined last month as part of the long-term electric generation transition plan of Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana.
During the past few months, Vectren has been working with Orion Renewable Power Resources LLC of Oakland, CA, USA (a joint venture between Orion Renewable Energy Group and MAP Renewable Energy) to select, secure and eventually develop the property in Troy, IN.
Sited on 300 acres of land and will consist of about 150,000 solar panels, the solar array will be mounted on a single-axis tracking system (enabling the panels to automatically pivot to enhance energy generation as the sun’s rays move across the surface of the Earth). The facility, which should be fully operational in the fall of 2020, is expected to generate enough power to meet the needs of more than 11,000 households per year.
“This significant renewable resource will be connected to our system to serve our local customers,” says Vectren’s chairman, president & CEO Carl Chapman.
Construction will begin after the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission authorizes the project (a decision is expected in first-half 2019). The initial construction phase will require establishing a sub-station to interconnect with Vectren’s power grid and will begin immediately upon regulatory approval. Construction of the solar array (which will provide up to 250 jobs) will begin in mid-late 2019.
“First Solar’s expertise in design and construction of solar power plants aligns perfectly with Vectren’s Smart Energy Future strategy,” says Eran Mahrer, VP – markets, origination & government Affairs for First Solar. “Using our high-performance Series 6 thin-film modules and a plant design approach tailored to utility ownership values, we will contribute significantly to Vectren’s commitment to deliver clean, reliable and reasonably-priced energy to its customers.”
First Solar Thin-film photovoltaic CdTe
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