Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Solar park unanimously approved in Iron County

The Iron County Commission unanimously approved a resolution and ordinance to adopt the Iron County Community Development and Renewal Agency to accommodate a $500 million solar power plant on 862 acres in Parowan Valley.

The principal streets of the park's site are 2200 North and 2200 West, with access off Interstate 15 at exit 78. Scatec Solar North America, Inc., Chief Sales Officer Luigi Resta told the commission the global turn-key supplier of solar photo voltaic products is set to break ground on the 100-megawatt plant the end of December with construction realistically beginning in spring 2011. He said the company has 120 days to finalize its interconnection agreement and received a system impact study last week from Rocky Mountain Power that says its substation has an ample capacity and open bays to accommodate the first phase of the project. There is no land use change required or need for upgrades, he added.

Scatec will have full engineering, procurement and construction responsibilities for the project, though will be joined in the special purpose entity with tax, debt and equity investors. Twenty-two long-term jobs are anticipated. The Spectrum