[September 23, 2011] Xcel Energy and SunEdison Announce Activations as Part of the 53.5 MW DC) Solar Project in Lea and Eddy Counties in New Mexico Tweet (Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) BELTSVILLE, Md., Sept. 22 -- Xcel Energy issued the following news release: Xcel Energy and its regional operating company, Southwestern Public Service Company, along with SunEdison and state and local officials, announced today the activation of the first three of five solar power plants that make up the 53.5 MW solar project deployed by SunEdison and Xcel Energy in Lea and Eddy counties in New Mexico. The announcement took place during an activation event held today at the 10.8 MW photovoltaic solar farm located at 800 W. Derrick Rd near the Carlsbad regional airport. Carlsbad City Mayor Dale W. Janway welcomed guests to the public event that highlighted the multi-site solar project that is expected to be fully activated by the end of 2011. The five sites are comprised of utility-scale, photovoltaic solar power plants or solar farms estimated to produce more than 109 million kilowatt-hours of energy in the first year of operation alone. The multi-site, 53.5 MW solar project will help enable Xcel Energy to continue meeting New Mexico's renewable portfolio standard, which requires that regulated electric utilities meet 15 percent of their electricity needs by 2015, and 20 percent by 2020, through renewable energy sources. "Renewable energy projects such as this one not only provide more options for protecting the environment and conserving natural resources like water and fossil fuels, but also help create economic opportunities for rural communities," said Riley Hill, president and CEO of Southwestern Public Service Company, an Xcel Energy company. "We commend the leadership of Lea and Eddy counties for their hard work and determination to see this project through." The five solar farms are being deployed and maintained by SunEdison under a 20-year solar power services agreement (SPSA) with Xcel Energy, which will buy the energy generated by the solar power plants. Project financing for the solar project was provided by Wells Fargo & Company. It is expected the 53.5 MW solar project will generate more than 1.9 million megawatt hours of clean, renewable energy over twenty years--enough energy to power more than 186,000 average U.S. homes for one year. "Proven PV technologies, proven experience and smart utility solutions," stated Robert Reichenberger, Vice President of Utility Segment for SunEdison. "That's why SunEdison is able to provide real solar solutions to our utility clients and their customers. SunEdison is extremely proud of the work we've accomplished with Xcel Energy and look forward to the possibilities we can achieve together in the future." SunEdison is a leading worldwide solar energy services provider and subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (NYSE: WFR). TNS JF78JF-110923-3598323 EditorFurigay (c) 2011 Targeted News Service [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]