New Solar Project Begins Serving NV Energy Customers

Boulder Solar II is 14th Solar Project to Serve Nevada Customers

NV Energy announced today that the 50-megawatt Boulder Solar II power plant – which was developed, designed and constructed by SunPower – achieved its commercial operation status and is now serving NV Energy customers in Nevada.

Boulder Solar II is the 14^th solar energy resource to serve customers in Nevada, and one of 43 diverse renewable energy projects that are helping to meet the electricity needs of NV Energy customers. It is located southeast of Las Vegas adjacent to the Boulder Solar I resource, which also recently was completed by SunPower and is helping the City of Las Vegas serve its city buildings, parks and lighting with 100 percent green energy. Combined, these two projects represent the largest solar energy resource serving NV Energy customers.

NV Energy's Senior Vice President of Renewable Energy and Smart Infrastructure Pat Egan noted that the Boulder Solar II project not only benefits NV Energy customers, but also has a positive impact on all residents in Nevada as well as a major customer that is now receiving the renewable energy credits associated with the project.

"All Nevadans benefit from the economic development associated with the construction of another new renewable energy facility in our state, and the renewable energy credits help encourage major customers with impressive sustainability goals to locate in or stay in Nevada. Additionally, our company and our customers benefit because these power purchase agreements help diversify our generation portfolio and provide long-term sources of renewable energy and capacity at a predictable and low price," he said.

Boulder Solar II is owned by AEP Renewables LLC, a subsidiary of American Electric Power. SunPower is providing ongoing operation and maintenance services for the facility on behalf of AEP Renewables.

SunPower's Senior Vice President, Americas Power Plants Ty Daul noted that the Boulder Solar II power plant is the result of the competitive cost of solar energy today, as well as NV Energy's GreenEnergy Rider program that helps commercial customers achieve their renewable energy goals.

"The facility is constructed with high-efficiency SunPower technology and will reliably maximize energy production on that site for decades and utilize Nevada's abundant, emission-free solar resource. We are pleased to partner with AEP Renewables and NV Energy on this important project," Daul said.

At the Boulder Solar sites, SunPower installed SunPower Oasis® Power Plant technology, a fully integrated, modular solar power block that is engineered to rapidly and cost-effectively deploy large solar projects while maximizing power generation and optimizing land use.

In the future, bigger DESERT power plants will be set up on Brazilian soil, and together with existing turnkey production systems, they intend to take up a large share of the products and assets this sector will possess locally. J.v.G. Thoma plans to build up a local network of sales agents that can extend a premium offering to neighbouring countries in South America. Eventually, the company hopes to be able to expand its customer base to clients in North America.

Hans Thoma, general manager from the Thoma-group, is eager to acquire a substantial market share in Brazil, a growing country with tremendous potential for solar energy output. Having complied with local official procedures (Inmetro, TÜV, Fraunhofer CSP) and cleared the way for future business collaboration, he expresses his hope that the solar industry will henceforth expand quickly.

”Being able to introduce Brazil to the infinite opportunities of a solar industry is a privilege for J.v.G. Thoma GmbH, and one that we are extremely grateful for. At the same time, this placed the ball squarely in our court, and the pressure to get the ball rolling quickly was high. Now that the lengthy initial formalities are out of the way, we can focus on making this project a success.“

The first DESERT solar module production in BRAZIL! Lets go ....

J.v.G. Thoma GmbH is delivering a DESERT turnkey production line to Brazil, the first of its kind and hopefully the first in many breakthroughs to leave the factory floor on their way to the largest country in South America. With a capacity of 30 MW, this is a small semi-automatic DESERT production line, but still a flagship in terms of DESERT solar module production and electricity generation in the country, now fully functional and ready to start with operation.

The machinery consists of DESERT production machines for high-efficiency DESERT solar modules built specifically for extreme hot climate, such as can be seen in deserts or in tropical areas. Made solely in Germany and built using the latest in DESERT and TROPIC module production, the systems inlcudes all cutting-edge technology.

Certified DESERT solar modules, DESERT containers, DESERT power plants and DESERT manufacturing machinery built using pioneering DESERT and TROPICS technology are now fully set up, and ready to perform. But powering on the machinery has been a long time coming. Up until recently, this advanced piece of equipment had been waiting for clearance at a port in Brazil. Now that the formalities have been dealt with, both J.v.G. Thoma and its customer in Brazil can get production under way.

J.v.G. Thoma GmbH is a company whose vision has always been to harness the infinite power of the sun and convert it into an inexhaustible supply of energy. But a vision such as this requires global reach, and this project has opened new doors. Brazil is not only a gateway to South American cooperation, but also the launchpad to international reach and expansion.

Following the delivery of this initial order, J.v.G. Thoma GmbH will be looking forward to an ongoing collaboration with the Brazilian company. From setup and initial training to setting the scene for a ramp up, J.v.G. Thoma will be there to provide expertise and assistance. Moreover, the company will be jointly responsible, along with the client, for the successful integration of the DESERT solar module factory.

In the future, bigger DESERT power plants will be set up on Brazilian soil, and together with existing turnkey production systems, they intend to take up a large share of the products and assets this sector will possess locally. J.v.G. Thoma plans to build up a local network of sales agents that can extend a premium offering to neighbouring countries in South America. Eventually, the company hopes to be able to expand its customer base to clients in North America.

Hans Thoma, general manager from the Thoma-group, is eager to acquire a substantial market share in Brazil, a growing country with tremendous potential for solar energy output. Having complied with local official procedures (Inmetro, TÜV, Fraunhofer CSP) and cleared the way for future business collaboration, he expresses his hope that the solar industry will henceforth expand quickly.

”Being able to introduce Brazil to the infinite opportunities of a solar industry is a privilege for J.v.G. Thoma GmbH, and one that we are extremely grateful for. At the same time, this placed the ball squarely in our court, and the pressure to get the ball rolling quickly was high. Now that the lengthy initial formalities are out of the way, we can focus on making this project a success.“

The first DESERT solar module production in BRAZIL! Let

Source: SunPower Corporation