NextEra Energy Resources to purchase Canadian solar projects from First Solar

JUNO BEACH & TEMPE, USA: NextEra Energy Resources LLC, the competitive energy subsidiary of NextEra Energy Inc. and First Solar Inc. announced that they have entered into agreements for NextEra Energy Resources to purchase four solar photovoltaic (PV) projects totaling 40 megawatts (MW) in Ontario, Canada from First Solar, Inc.

Under the terms of the project agreements, First Solar will continue developing and will construct the Sombra and Moore Solar Energy Centers, using First Solar’s advanced thin film solar modules.

Each Solar Energy Center will consist of two 10-MW solar PV projects. Once operational, NextEra Energy Resources’ Canadian subsidiary, NextEra Energy Canada, will own and operate all four projects. All of the power from the solar projects will be sold to the Ontario Power Authority under long-term contracts.

“We’re pleased to expand our position as North America’s leading generator of solar power through the addition of our first Canadian solar projects,” said NextEra Energy Resources’ President and CEO Mitch Davidson. “Solar power will help promote a clean-energy economy in Ontario, reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, and address global climate change through the production of emission-free energy.”

“We’re pleased to forge this new customer relationship with NextEra Energy Resources, a company that shares our strong commitment to developing renewable energy in North America,” said Frank DeRosa, First Solar senior vice president of North American project development. “Together we look forward to bringing these projects online in 2011 and contributing to Canada’s clean energy needs.”

The Sombra and Moore Solar Energy Centers, located in Sombra and Moore Townships, Ontario, will each utilize thin film technology on a fixed tilt system. Each 10-MW project will consist of more than 172,000 panels.

The Sombra and Moore Solar Energy Centers will provide enough power to serve about 6,440 homes. Each year the solar projects are expected to help avoid nearly 45,000 tons of carbon dioxide, which is the equivalent of removing nearly 8,600 cars from the road every year for the life of the project.

Pending the necessary government approvals, construction on all four projects is expected to begin in the first quarter 2011 with commercial operation expected by the end of 2011.