Pacific Gas & Electric to Produce 24% of Energy from Renewables by 2013

Jon Popham August 16, 2008 | 10:26 am EST

Pacific Gas & Electric Company is now under contract to produce 24% of its energy from renewables by 2013 with the signing of two new landmark solar energy deals. The deals will set up the largest solar plants in the world, to be located on roughly 12.5 square miles of San Luis Obispo County, California. One plant, in partnership with Topaz Solar Farms LLC, a subsidiary of Optisolar, will produce up to 550 MW of energy, while the other, done in partnership with High Plains Ranch II LLC, a subsidiary of Sunpower, will produce 250 MW. The combined facilities will gernerate enough electricity to power 239,000 homes.

These new deals will propel Pacific Gas & Electric’s reliance on renewable sources of energy to a startling 24% by the year 2013, 4% more than the 20% mandated by California law. Plus their 800 MW of electricity production vastly outproduces any other solar field currently in operation on earth with the nearest operational competitor being the recently completed Nevada Solar One which has a capacity of 64 MW.

You can takepart in continuing the growth of the Solar Power industry by learning more about and supporting the Solar Energy Industry Association.

LINKS:

The Earth Times: PG&E Signs Historic 800 MW Photovoltaic Solar Agreement with Optisolar and Sunpower

NY Times: Two Large Solar Plants Planned in California

Mercury News: PG&E, Sunpower announce major solar deal