Monterey Bay Community Power and Silicon Valley Clean Energy will buy 100% of the power from the solar plant
First Solar’s 100MW Rabbitbrush solar plant is located in Kern County, California. (Credit: First Solar, Inc.)
American solar developer First Solar has signed long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Monterey Bay Community Power (MBCP) and Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE), two Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) in California.
Under the PPAs, MBCP and SVCE will receive power from the 100MW Rabbitbrush Solar project located in Kern County, California, being developed by the company.
SVCE supplies carbon-free electricity to 13 communities in Santa Clara County, while MBCP provides clean energy to communities across Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties, as well as parts of San Luis Obispo county.
Expected to begin commercial operations in the second quarter of 2022, the Rabbitbrush solar plant will also feature a 20MW battery storage system, which can deliver electricity for up to 2.5 hours of time.
MBCP CEO Tom Habashi said: “We are delighted to partner with First Solar to add to our growing solar generation and battery storage portfolio.
“Responsibly developed to minimize its impact on the ecosystem, and powered by the most eco-efficient solar technology available today, this project mirrors our own commitments to sustainability and the communities we serve.”
First Solar’s Rabbitbrush solar plant can power 45,000 average US homes
When completed, the Rabbitbrush solar plant will generate enough clean energy to power 45,000 average Californian homes, while offsetting 62,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually.
For the project, First Solar will use its thin film module technology, designed and developed in California. The company claims that the thin film technology is the result of more than $1bn in cumulative R&D spending.
First Solar chief commercial officer Georges Antoun said: “The fast-growing CCA segment, with its base of environmentally conscious consumers, aligns well with our inherent emphasis on sustainability and our mission to lead the world’s sustainable energy future.
“As America’s solar company, we are pleased to support MBCP and SVCE in powering communities with solar energy that is not only cost-competitive, reliable and efficient, but also has a superior environmental profile.”