First Solar has started construction on the 150MWac Solar Gen 2 project in Imperial County, California that will generate enough electricity to power over 60,000 homes.
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) will purchase the electricity generated by the project under a 25-year power purchase agreement. Construction of the plant, which will create around 800 construction jobs, is likely to complete by July 2014.
Solar Gen 2, which is composed of three neighboring sites Sonora, Arkansas, and Alhambra, will boost the local economy by generating about $150,000 in property taxes annually and $4.6m under the public benefits agreement.
In April 2013, First Solar has acquired the project from Energy Power Partners, an affiliate of The Goldman Sachs Group, and a third equity partner.
First Solar construction director Anthony Perrino said that the company broke ground on Solar Gen 2, its third project in Imperial Valley.