California-based solar company SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR) announced that it has been selected by Florida Power & Light Company to build the largest solar photovoltaic power plant in the United States, and a second power plant at the Kennedy Space Center. Florida Power & Light Company is a subsidiary of FPL Group (NYSE: FPL), one of the world’s largest producer of electricity from renewable energy sources.
The installation will include a 25-megawatt (MW) power plant in DeSoto County, Fla., and a 10-megawatt project at the Kennedy Space Center. SunPower will design and build the facilities and FPL will own, operate and maintain the systems. The DeSoto plant will be completed in 2009; the plant at the Kennedy Space Center will be completed in 2010. Construction is contingent on approval of the Florida Public Service Commission.
"These agreements confirm the growing trend in the U.S. to build solar power plants at a scale rivaling those in market-leading countries such as Germany and Spain," said Howard Wenger, senior vice president, global business units for SunPower. "With these agreements totaling approximately 35 MW, we applaud Florida Power & Light’s commitment and leadership in renewable energy."
At the DeSoto site, the company will install its SunPower Tracker system, which tilts toward the sun as it moves across the sky, significantly increasing daily energy production compared with fixed-tilt systems while reducing land-use requirements.
Florida Power & Light Company joined with Gov. Crist on June 25, 2008, to announce these and one other solar power project, which will make Florida No. 2 in the nation in solar power production. The projects are subject to regulatory approval.
The largest-operating solar photovoltaic power plant in North America is currently the 14-megawatt installation located at Nellis Air Force Base in Nev., also built by SunPower. Worldwide, SunPower has installed more than 450 solar power systems totaling more than 350 MW, including solar power plant projects in Europe, Asia and North America.
About SunPower
SunPower Corporation designs, manufactures and delivers solar-electric systems worldwide for residential, commercial and utility-scale power plant customers. SunPower high-efficiency solar cells and solar panels generate up to 50 percent more power than conventional solar technologies the company says. With headquarters in San Jose, Calif., SunPower has offices in North America, Europe and Asia. SunPower is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE: CY).
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