|
PUC Approves Xcel 8-MW Solar Power
Plant near Alamosa
February 14, 2007
The Colorado PUC announced last
week that it has approved the Xcel Energy proposal to build a solar
photovoltaic (PV) power plant near Alamosa. The plant will have a
rated capacity of 8 megawatts, which is enough to provide energy for
1,650 homes. When it goes online at the end of 2007, it will be the
largest PV installation in the United States. For details, see the
PUC February 7 press release:
http://www.dora.state.co.us/puc/publications/news_releases/2007-02-07NR_SunE-SEPA.htm
The utility is required to
install solar capacity equal to 0.5% of its total generation as part
of the requirements of Amendment 37 passed by Colorado voters in
2004. In a last-minute wrinkle, the PUC decided to examine the cost
effectiveness of solar thermal electric power generation to meet the
requirements of Amendment 37.
To read more about the PUC
decision, see an article in the February 8 edition of the Denver
Post titled “Xcel Wins OK to Build Solar Facility:”
http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_5179931 |
