KXO RADIO - Stirling Energy Files To Build Solar Plant

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Todays is : Monday, 01 December 2008

Written by Lynne Adair
Monday, 30 June 2008
Stirling Energy Systems today filed an application to build what they say will be the " worlds largest solar energy generating facility " in the Imperial Valley. The Application for Construction was submitted to the California Energy Commission this morning. The plan calls for a 750 megawatt solar generation facility to be built in the desert between El Centro and Ocotillo. The facility, called SES Solar Two, would be situated on 6,500 acres of land. It will generate enough energy to light up approximatly 500,000 homes. San Diego Gas and Electric has a Purchase Power Agreement for 600 megawatts that can be expanded up to 900 megawatts. The project will be constructed in two primary phases. The first will include 12,000 SunCatcher dishes generating 300 megawatts. The second phase will generate 450 megawatts using 18,000 solar dishes. Each of the SunCatcher dishes is 38 feet tall, 40 feet wide and is capable of generating 25,000 watts of power. The 2,600 page application is expected to take 12 to 16 months to process with construction to begin in late 2009 if there are no delays.