8minutenergy Renewables Signs EPC Agreement with Gehrlicher Solar America Corp. to Build its Redwood Solar Farm Projects
Callifornia (PRWEB) October 16, 2014 -- 8minutenergy Renewables, LLC, the nation's leading independent solar PV developer, today announced the signing of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) agreements with Gehrlicher Solar America Corp. (GSAC) for three of its solar projects located in Kern County, Calif. The 8minutenergy projects, and the associated 8minutenergy subsidiary that wholly owns them, are the 16.66 MW-ac Redcrest Solar Farm (67RK 8me), 26.66 MW-ac Hayworth Solar Farm (65HK 8me) and the 15 MW-ac Woodmere Solar Farm (87RL 8me).
The three projects, collectively known as the 'Redwood Solar Farm,' have signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) with Southern California Edison (SCE), Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), and the City of Palo Alto Utilities. A single Large Generation Interconnection Agreement (LGIA) was previously signed by 8minutenergy, PG&E and the California Independent Systems Operator Corporation (CAISO).
"These EPC contracts demonstrate 8minutenergy's ability to bring solar projects to successful conclusions," said Martin Hermann, chief executive officer of 8minutenergy Renewables. "We look forward to working closely with Gehrlicher Solar America Corp. to build these solar facilities and to generating clean renewable energy for California households and businesses."
"At peak construction, the three Redwood solar projects will generate approximately 250 direct and 300 indirect jobs in Kern County and contribute millions to the local economy,” said Tom Buttgenbach, president of 8minutenergy Renewables. “We are proud that the first solar projects 8minutenergy builds on its own will enable the people in the area to benefit economically as well."
"We reviewed bids from several EPC companies," said Steve Clark, Vice President of Engineering, Procurement and Construction, 8minutenergy Renewables. "After a rigorous due diligence process, Gehrlicher Solar America stood out due to the depth of its technical expertise, solid reputation and because it has an impressive track record. We look forward to partnering with them on the construction of these projects."
"At 75MW-dc of capacity, Redwood Solar Farm is our largest project to date in the North America," said Jerry Shinn, president, Gehrlicher Solar America Corp. "As a top-tier developer, we are pleased to add 8minutenergy to our expanding portfolio. Since 2011, we have experienced significant growth and continue to move up in solar EPC rankings*.”
Construction on the solar projects is scheduled to begin in December 2014, with completion and grid connection projected for June through September 2016. The scope of work for GSAC, a division of M+W Group, includes engineering, design, procurement, construction and commissioning of the three projects. 8minutenergy has contracted with First Solar for the PV modules and trackers for the projects, with installation to be executed by GSAC. 8minutenergy is separately contracting for the projects' high voltage facilities, which will include a plant substation and a generation tie transmission line connecting to PG&E's Lamont Substation.
The Redwood solar farms' annual production capacity of 152 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity will produce enough renewable solar energy to serve nearly 30,000 Californians. These clean solar generation plants will displace the equivalent of approximately 176,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year, which is equal to the amount that over 7 million trees would displace annually.
The solar power system for the three projects making up the Redwood Solar Farm will be comprised of state-of-the-art solar cadmium telluride thin-film photovoltaic modules, related power electronics, and other components including an advanced tracking system that follows the sun to maximize energy production.
About Gehrlicher Solar - A Company of the M+W Group
Since being acquired by the M+W Group last year, Gehrlicher Solar America has leveraged the parent company’s financial strength and global reach and built on its already solid reputation as one of the foremost engineering, procurement, construction, operations and maintenance (EPC O&M) firms in the commercial- and utility-scale solar market. After more than doubling its annual project installation rate in 2013, Gehrlicher Solar continues on a robust growth trajectory in the U.S. and Latin America. Gehrlicher Solar is expanding its capabilities, taking a leadership role in the integration of energy storage, hybrid power generation, and grid stabilization solutions. For more information, visit http://www.gehrlichersolar.us.
About 8minutenergy Renewables, LLC
8minutenergy Renewables develops, finances, engineers, constructs, holds, operates and maintains solar projects. To date, 8minutenergy Renewables has been awarded over 1,100 MW in PPAs; secured more than 1,200 MW in General Interconnection Agreements (GIA); obtained Conditional Use Permits (CUP) for 9,140 acres; and has 15,000 acres of land under contract. 8minutenergy has offices in Folsom, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and El Centro, California. For more information, please call (916) 608-9060, send email to info(at)8minutenergy(dot)com or visit http://www.8minutenergy.com.
Source: *Solar Power World 2014 Rankings
Media Contacts:
8minutenergy Renewables
Kent Streeb
P: 530.908.9225
kstreeb(at)8minutenergy(dot)com
Kent Streeb, 8minutenergy Renewables, http://www.8minutenergy.com, +1 (530) 908-9225, [email protected]
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