WORLD’S BIGGEST SUN GETS A GO

World's largest solar plant wins key approval
Sarah McBride (W/Sofina Mirza-Reid), September 16, 2010 (Reuters)

"…[L]aying the groundwork for a dramatic expansion in solar energy generation in the United States and around the world…[the proposed world’s biggest solar power plant]…won clearance to build from the California Energy Commission [CEC].

"The plant has a capacity of 1,000 megawatts. By comparison, for all of last year, the U.S. installed about 481 megawatts of solar energy…The largest solar plants to date are in the 200-350 megawatt range…The Blythe plant essentially groups four 250-MW plants, with the first slated to start generating electricity in 2013. The total price tag is estimated at north of $6 billion."

click to enlarge

"…[Originally proposed by Chevron Corp. and Solar Millennium AG], Solar Millennium said it and Ferrostaal AG were the sole two co-developers, working through a U.S. joint venture, Solar Trust of America LLC. Chevron Corp. maintained it was still a co-developer through Chevron Energy Solutions…The commission said it had received no word that Chevron had dropped out…The developers have already struck an agreement with Southern California Edison, which has said it will purchase the full capacity of the first two plants.

"The plant will make electricity by using mirrors to heat a fluid that generates steam, which expands through steam turbine generators. The technique is known as parabolic trough technology…It is one of nine proposed California solar plants that federal and state regulators are trying to evaluate by the end of the year…Solar plants that begin construction before December 31 qualify for a Treasury Department grant totaling 30 percent of a project's cost, as part of last year's economic stimulus package."

The parabolic trough technology to be used at Blythe (click to enlarge)

"Building would create up to 1,004 construction jobs…If all nine fast-tracked plants win approval and are constructed, they will create an additional 4,300 megawatts of solar power. But the bulk of the plants won't start generating energy until 2013.

"…[T]he developers still need final approval from the Bureau of Land Management for use of public lands. The BLM is scheduled to rule on the matter toward the end of next month…To win the most favorable financing from outside investors, the developers must also secure a Department of Energy loan…The DOE is currently evaluating the Blythe plant's proposal, including its engineering and financial models…"