The project, which is situated 58km north of Copiapó, is claimed to be the largest solar plant in Latin America.
The plant will feature First Solar’s 1.7 million PV thin film modules, which will generate enough solar energy for more than 173,962 homes.
Upon its planned completion by December 2015, the project will reduce more than 185,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year.
The electricity generated from the project will be supplied into the Chilean Central Interconnected System.
First Solar said the electricity will be sold on an open contract basis, and not necessarily only to regulated clients.
Chile president Michelle Bachelet said: "We are working hard to address Chile’s energy deficit. Projects, such as this show that Chile is progressing towards being a clean energy producing country.
"This year alone, we are incorporating more than 1000 MW of new energy to our system through different non-conventional renewable energies. This is an important step towards our 2025 target of having 20 percent of our energy coming from non-conventional renewable energies."
Chile Minister of Energy Maximo Pacheco said: "Northern Chile is one of the places with the highest solar radiation in the world, and therefore is the place to develop alternative renewable energy projects such as First Solar’s here in the Atacama region."
The US Government’s development finance institution, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the World Bank Group member, International Finance Corporation, have agreed to provide $290m loans for the Luz del Norte project.
Image: The 141MWac Luz del Norte solar PV power plant will generate enough energy for more than 173,962 homes. Photo: Courtesy of Serge Bertasius Photography/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
