First Solar to Develop 139-MW Campo Verde Solar Project

First Solar Inc. announced it is developing the 139-MW Campo Verde Solar Project, which will generate enough electricity to power approximately 50,000 average California homes and displace 80,000 metric tons of CO₂ per year — the equivalent of taking 15,000 cars off the road.

First Solar will construct the project — located near El Centro in Imperial County, Calif. — using its advanced thin-film photovoltaic modules, which generate clean, renewable energy with no emissions, waste or water consumption during operation.

The Campo Verde project, which will create about 250 construction jobs, is expected to start in the third quarter of 2012 and be completed by 2013. San Diego Gas & Electric Co. will purchase the output under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

The project is jointly owned by First Solar and US Solar Holdings LLC, but First Solar has contractual rights to acquire 100 percent ownership interest and is in the process of completing that transaction.

For more information, visit: www.firstsolar.com