OCI Solar Power firing up three new Texas solar projects

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- OCI Solar Power is adding 145 megawatts (MW) of solar power to Texas' energy mix this year that will generate power for approximately 25,000 homes annually.  

"The progress we're making with the opening and construction of new projects means more than half of our Texas projects are now complete or underway," said OCI Solar Power President and CEO Tony Dorazio. "This also means the number of solar jobs in the state is increasing."

The newly operational Alamo 4 project in Brackettville, Texas, generates 39 MW for CPS Energy, San Antonio's community-owned utility. The solar farm features more than 150,000 solar panels and covers 600 acres of privately-owned land. Alamo 4 is OCI Solar Power's first Texas project outside of metropolitan San Antonio and employed approximately 550 people during construction. 

With the commencement of operations of Alamo 4 comes the start of construction for Alamo 3 in San Antonio and Alamo 5 in Uvalde, Texas. OCI Solar Power is again partnering with the San Antonio River Authority to lease land for the 5.5 MW Alamo 3 project near Loop 1604 and IH10 on the northeast side of town. Alamo 3 will be the first Alamo project to feature locally made solar panels from manufacturing partner Mission Solar Energy and a new dual axis tracker technology from Sun Action Trackers. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

"We are very excited to be partnering once again with OCI Solar Power for the expansion of this valuable resource in the San Antonio region," said SARA General Manager Suzanne Scott. "This partnership has proven to be a successful venture and we look forward to the continued growth of sustainable practices in our community."

Alamo 5 is OCI Solar Power's largest solar project at 100 MW. Located 80 miles west of San Antonio in Uvalde, Texas, Alamo 5 will cover more than 1,000 acres of privately-owned land. The project will feature equipment from OCI Solar Power's San Antonio-based manufacturing partners KACO new energy, Mission Solar Energy and Sun Action Trackers. Construction is expected to be complete in early 2016.

Background

OCI Solar Power and its partners are bringing 400 MW of clean energy to Texas as part of a solar agreement with CPS Energy. The 400 MW project resulted in the largest economic development agreement between a municipal utility and private company. The deal is designed to encourage clean energy manufacturing, create 800 permanent jobs and result in an annual economic impact of $700 million to Greater San Antonio. To date, the partners have created more than 380 solar jobs in Texas. Once complete in 2016, the 400 MW project will power 10 percent of San Antonio's homes.

OCI Solar Power's portfolio includes projects in San Antonio, New Jersey and Georgia.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140903/142620

SOURCE OCI Solar Power