SolFocus, Vision Electro Mechanical to build largest solar power plant of its kind in Saudi Arabia

BAHRA, SAUDI ARABIA & MOUNTAIN VIEW, USA: SolFocus, a leading developer of concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) solar systems, announced that Vision Electro Mechanical Co., a subsidiary of Construction Products Holding Co. (CPC), will build the first commercial solar power plant in Saudi Arabia using CPV systems.

These SolFocus CPV systems combine high-efficiency solar cells with advanced optics to provide scalable, reliable solutions capable of delivering low-cost renewable power. The project, located in the Bahra region, will deliver around 300MWh of clean energy per year and is the first in a series of Saudi power stations planned by Vision.

“The high sun conditions of the Middle East provide an ideal environment for reaping large-scale, low-cost solar energy from CPV systems,” said Mark Crowley, CEO, SolFocus. “Together with our partners at Vision, SolFocus will bring the world’s most efficient and resource-friendly solar technology to Saudi Arabia, providing energy diversification for the country.”

Vision will market and install the SolFocus solar power systems, starting with this plant in CPC’s Bahra industrial complex. Vision will install other solar power stations in Saudi Arabia, as well as in the research centers of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

“We accomplished this partnership in line with Saudi’s efforts to promote investment in renewable energy projects and serve power projects in the Gulf and the wider Arabian region,” said Hassan Chahine, general manager, Vision. “This is a breakthrough in Saudi Arabia’s thrust for energy diversification. We believe the Bahra plant will serve as a model for the further research and study of clean water and power solutions that diversify the region’s energy mix.”

“It is a testament to SolFocus that its technology was selected by project developers with such deep expertise in energy generation innovation,” added Crowley. “We view SolFocus CPV as a critical component of the bold clean energy goals set forth by leaders in the Middle East, such as CPC/Vision in Saudi Arabia and the developers of Masdar City in Abu Dhabi.”

The news is the latest in a string of groundbreaking developments for SolFocus; earlier this month it was the first CPV company to announce a power warranty backed by Munich Re; in May it announced completion of the largest CPV installation in North America; and in 2009 it was the first CPV firm to secure International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) certification for performance and safety.