Third Gila Bend solar-power plant planned

A third solar-power plant has been announced for Gila Bend, this one to be built by Tempe-based First Solar Inc. and provide electricity to Arizona Public Service Co. APS already is planning to buy power from a large solar-thermal power plant called the Solana Generating Station planned for the area, and a smaller plant called Cotton Center that will use solar panels. The newest announcement if for a 17-megawatt plant called the Paloma Solar Plant, which will be the first time APS uses "thin-film" solar panels from First Solar. The plant could be operating by September. The Tempe solar company's panels are thinner, lighter and cheaper than traditional solar panels, but produce less electricity per square foot. The 17-megawatt plant will generate enough electricity to supply about 4,250 homes at once in direct sunlight. Once they are built, APS will own Paloma and the 17-megawatt Cotton Center project nearby in Gila Bend. The Cotton project will use solar panels from Solon Corp. of Tucson.

Click here to view this article from its source.