Solar ♦ news digest


will continue to grow, and renewable energy is well positioned to meet a significant portion of the demand.”


“These agreements demonstrate continued momentum in First Solar’s project development business,” said Frank DeRosa, First Solar Senior VP of North American project development. “We are very pleased to extend our relationship with Enbridge that began with Sarnia, and to work together to increase renewable energy generation in Canada.”


The 5MW Tilbury Solar Project is located in Tilbury, Ontario. First Solar completed construction on this project in December 2010.


The Amherstburg II Solar Project is located in Amherstburg, Ontario, which is about 70 kilometres from Tilbury. It has two separate facilities that, together, total 15 MW. Construction is expected to begin in March 2011, and to be completed in Q3 2011.


Under the terms of the agreements, the projects will include fixed-price engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts. First Solar will also provide operations and maintenance services to Enbridge under long-term contracts.


Enbridge will sell the facilities power output to the Ontario Power Authority pursuant to 20-year Power Purchase Agreements under the terms of the Ontario Government’s Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program.


The Tilbury project will have a maximum capacity of about 5 MW and the net area of solar panels on the site is expected to be around 15 acres. With approximately 89,000 solar panels, the firm expects an annual yield of approximately 7 million kWh (corresponding to the annual consumption of about 800 homes). The project hopes to achieve CO2 savings of about 2,500 tonnes per year and provide 300 jobs.


The Amherstburg II Solar Project, with a capacity peak of about 15 MW expects to provide 244,000 solar panels on 43 acres. With an annual yield of around 23 million kWh providing 2,400 homes, CO2 savings should amount to about 7,500 tonnes per year. The work force is expected to be between 300 and 400.


January / February 2011 www.compoundsemiconductor.net 115


First Solar Wins $15m Solar Project


The CdTe solar module manufacturer has won the Amherstburg II project from Helios Energy.


First Solar has completed the acquisition of Helios Energy’s Amherstburg II Solar Project, consisting of two separate facilities, which, together, total 15 megawatts (MW).


Alongside this transaction, First Solar and Enbridge have entered into an agreement in which Enbridge will acquire the Amherstburg II Solar Project from First Solar. First Solar will continue developing the facilities and will provide engineering, procurement and construction services as well as operations and maintenance services under long-term contracts. Construction of the project is expected to begin in March 2011.


“Amherstburg II will continue to expand Ontario’s supply of clean, affordable, sustainable solar energy,” said Peter Carrie, First Solar VP of Business Development for Canada. “We are pleased to have worked with Helios Energy and look forward to bringing the project to completion this summer.”


The Amherstburg II Solar Project will create between 300 and 400 construction jobs, generate tax revenues for various levels of government, and create economic benefits for local businesses. The project will sell its power to the Ontario Power Authority pursuant to 20-year Power Purchase Agreements under the terms of the Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program.


“This project further demonstrates Ontario’s leadership in renewable energy development and the creation of a green economy,” said Jarret Stuart, Principal, Helios Energy. “We are very proud to have worked with First Solar, North America’s leading utility-scale solar project developer.”


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