Phoenix Solar Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Phoenix Solar AG, announced it signed a contract with Silicon Ranch Corporation to build a 38.6-megawatt solar plant called Simon Solar Farm in Georgia. Upon completion, the installation will be the largest utility-scale solar power facility in the state and the largest solar installation in the 14-year history of Phoenix Solar.
The high-profile project further demonstrates Phoenix Solar’s commitment to move its operational focus to high-growth regions, including the U.S. and Asia. Phoenix Solar AG underlines that Simon Solar Farm is among the strategic projects which will contribute to its planned increase of Group revenues to between EUR160 mn and EUR190 mn in 2013.
Site work has already begun at Simon Solar Farm outside Atlanta which was a cotton farm several decades ago. The solar power plant is scheduled for completion by the end of 2013. The plant is expected to generate enough renewable energy each year to charge a fleet of 10,000 electric vehicles with enough electricity to be driven 20,000 miles.
Under the terms of the contract, Phoenix Solar Inc. will provide all engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services to Silicon Ranch to develop the ground-mount solar park on 161 acres at the Simon Solar Farm, about 30 miles east of Atlanta, the state capital. Phoenix Solar will also provide long-term operations and maintenance (O&M) support for the solar park.
Georgia Power, the state’s largest electrical utility, has agreed to buy the electricity generated from the solar park, under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Silicon Ranch.
Phoenix Solar is deploying modules from JA Solar at the solar park, and will utilize SMA inverters and Unirac mounting systems.
The Simon Solar Farm is yet another example of the strategic partnership between Silicon Ranch and Phoenix Solar that has resulted in the construction of several solar power facilities in the Southeast, including the largest solar installation at a U.S. auto plant, namely the LEED Platinum-certified Volkswagen factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Matt Kisber, President and CEO of Silicon Ranch, said, “Silicon Ranch is proud to be under construction on the largest solar development in Georgia and we look forward to producing clean, renewable electricity at this facility before the end of this year. This project will further develop Georgia’s position as a leader in the adoption of clean, renewable solar power. The strategic partnership with Phoenix Solar has allowed us to accelerate the timetable for bringing this project on line this year,” added Mr. Kisber.
Dr. Murray Cameron, CEO and President of U.S.-based Phoenix Solar Inc., said, “The Simon Solar installation represents a giant step forward for the adoption of solar power in Georgia and the entire Southeast, and we are proud to be playing a key role in the region. Upon completion of the Simon Solar project, Phoenix Solar will have installed approximately 50 megawatts of solar power facilities in the Southeast as part of our strategic partnership with Silicon Ranch. This project is the largest that the Phoenix Solar Group has undertaken worldwide during the company’s almost 14 year history and I am proud that the professionalism, diverse skills and commitment of our US team has resulted in us being awarded this contract.”