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.
"With the support of county officials, IID and SDG&E, we are helping to deliver thousands of green jobs, millions of dollars in economic benefits, and clean, renewable energy for Southern California homes," added Perrino.
