San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and subsidiaries of Soitec Solar Development LLC have announced the signing of two additional 25-year contracts for a total of 125 MW of solar energy to be generated in SDG&E’s service territory.
The additional energy will be produced using Soitec's concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) technology, with solar modules manufactured in a new Soitec factory to be built in the San Diego area.
Both of the projects will be located in San Diego County and will be situated near SDG&E electric substations.
The new manufacturing facility, which will have an annual production capacity of 200 MW, will generate up to 450 direct jobs and more than 1,000 indirect jobs at full capacity. The location of the factory is due to be announced this summer, with completion expected within 18 months of construction start.
According to Soitec, its Concentrix CPV technology produces power at a much higher efficiency relative to standard solar panels.
SDG&E currently provides energy to 3.5 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 850,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility's area spans 4,100 square miles.
The new agreements are separate from the three contracts signed by the two companies in April for 30 MW of CPV-generated solar power. Combined, the five contracts represent five separate projects capable of generating a total of 155 MW of solar power—enough energy to supply more than 60,000 homes.
All of the five projects will use panels with the Concentrix CPV technology supplied by the new factory.
Commenting, James P. Avery, senior vice president of power supply for SDG&E, said: "Our projects with Soitec will bring local jobs to the community and will help us to meet our renewable energy goals. We are very confident in our choice of technology and in Soitec's plans for a solar panel manufacturing facility in the San Diego region."
Andre-Jacques Auberton-Herve, chief executive officer and chairman of Soitec, said: "These new contracts with SDG&E reinforce Soitec's decision to build its new manufacturing site in the San Diego area, and confirms the importance of the U.S. market for our company. We are very pleased to have a direct role in bringing 'home grown' solar energy to the people of San Diego."
The contracts still need to receive approval from the California Public Utilities Commission.
