US-based First Solar has completed the first phase of the Barilla Solar Project in Pecos County, Texas, adding around 18 MWAC of generating capacity to the wholesale market of Texas.
First Solar developed, constructed and will operate the power plant and will offer electricity produced by the Barilla plant on an open contract basis.
The solar plant, which is in the final stages of the commissioning process, includes a host of advanced controls and capabilities required to provide grid stability and reliability within the ERCOT region.
Commenting on the announcement, Pecos County Judge Joe Shuster said: "First Solar is a pioneer in bringing West Texas solar into the diverse energy portfolio of Texas.
"In West Texas we’ve got plenty of land, some with a lot of oil under it, and all of it with sunshine which makes it perfect for solar plants like this. I’m excited to see Barilla as the first project in what I hope will soon be the ‘Texas solar patch.’"
First Solar business development senior vice president said: "It is exciting to enter the Texas market with a clean, renewable energy source that is competitively priced against traditional high-cost peak resources.
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By GlobalData"This project demonstrates First Solar’s capability to rapidly develop, construct and commission a solar asset offering clean, renewable energy at competitive rates to the grid when and where it is needed."
Texas has the greatest technical potential for solar development in the U.S, claimed the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL),
A global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) solar systems, First Solar uses its advanced module and system technology.
