Monday, November 23, 2009

First Solar sells Riverside County facility to NRG Energy (FSLR; NRG)

More NRG news. Following up on "Q&A with NRG's David Crane: the full version" and Friday's "NRG Energy: 'Wholesale' power play (NRG)" we'll go with Money & Company's early take on the FSLR sale:

Photovoltaics producer First Solar Inc. sold a 21-megawatt Riverside County solar facility to leading power company NRG Energy Inc. for an undisclosed amount, the company said today.

First Solar, based in Tempe, Ariz., is building the project in Blythe and has worked out a 20-year power purchase agreement to sell the electricity to Southern California Edison. The plant is expected to generate more than 45,000 megawatt-hours per year, offsetting more than 12,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions in that period.

Construction, which began in September and should be completed by the end of the year, created 175 jobs, according to the company. First Solar will operate and maintain the facility under the agreement with NRG, which is based in Princeton, N.J.

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