Project Focus: Sempra Generation completes 48MW Copper Mountain Solar power plant

Dec. 2, 2010 - Emma Hughes - pv-tech.org

Sempra Generation, part of Sempra Energy, has completed construction of the 48MW (AC) Copper Mountain Solar photovoltaic power plant located in Boulder City, Nevada. The facility is reportedly the largest in the U.S. and is now generating enough electricity to power approximately 14,000 average homes.

The 380-acre site was installed with approximately 775,000 CdTe thin-film PV panels, supplied by First Solar, which also managed the engineering and procurement as well as serving as construction contractor.

The power generated by the Copper Mountain project, alongside that of Sempra's adjacent 10MW (AC) El Dorado Solar plant, has been sold to Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) under separate 20-year power purchase agreements. The Copper Mountain Solar facility is owned and operated by Copper Mountain Solar.