Xcel Energy, SunPower Sign Agreement To Construct 17 MW Solar PV Power Plant In Colorado

Published: 07-Apr-2009

Xcel Energy Inc. (Xcel Energy) and SunPower Corporation (SunPower) have signed an agreement to construct a 17 megawatt (MW) AC photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant in Alamosa County in Colorado. The plant will be completed at the end of 2010 and is expected to create about 200 jobs during construction. The plant will use SunPower(R) Tracker systems, which generate up to 30% more energy per land area than conventional systems and reduce land-use requirements.

SunPower Trackers incline toward the sun as it moves across the sky, escalating energy capture and providing more power on hot summer days when utilities need it most.

We believe that solar power generation will play an increasingly vital role in our efforts to meet the wishes of our Colorado customers for more renewable, clean energy sources, said Tim Taylor, president and chief executive officer for Public Service Co. of Colorado, Xcel Energy. SunPower's experienced approach to solar power plant design and construction will allow us to quickly complete this important project.

Today, high-efficiency solar PV technology is competitively-priced for power plant applications. It's fast to install, and reliably delivers clean power, particularly during peak demand hours, said SunPower chief executive officer Tom Werner. We congratulate Xcel Energy for providing leadership in the promotion of solar power development, and for demonstrating how renewable technologies are part of the solution to ensure the health of our economy and our environment.

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