Satcon Technology Corporation today announced that it has been selected by Southern California Edison to supply inverters for at least 75 percent of its Solar Photovoltaic Program (SPVP) Project.
As part of the SPVP program, Southern California Edison plans to install, own and operate up to 250 megawatts of solar generating capacity over the next five years, 75 megawatts of which are in immediate development. These installations will be constructed mainly on large commercial rooftops and some on open parcels of land, with most sites ranging from 1 to 3 megawatts of generation capacity in size. Another 250 megawatts of large rooftop solar PV will be installed and operated by independent power producers with the power output being provided to SCE's customers.
SCE has selected Satcon's(TM) PowerGate(R) Plus 500 kilowatt solution, the world's most widely deployed utility ready solar PV inverter. All of Satcon's solutions include advanced utility ready features to enable simplified grid interconnection and can be easily integrated into SCADA systems through standardized communication interfaces.
"The SPVP program is an important step in California's clean-energy future," said Mark Nelson, SCE director, Generation Planning & Strategy, Southern California Edison. "Satcon is a leader in utility-scale solar. We appreciate the company's approach to complex challenges, and we look forward to working with them on this industry-leading project."
SCE's SPVP is targeted at the vast untapped resource of commercial and industrial rooftop space in Edison's service territory. The SPVP will aggressively bridge the gap between small- and large-scale solar installations. The solar power plants will be directly connected to Edison's grid as wholesale generation and will therefore not require additional construction of transmission facilities.
"We are honored to be selected by Southern California Edison as their inverter of choice for the SPVP program," said Steve Rhoades, Satcon's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The projects mark the beginning of a new and significant chapter in both the solar and the utility industries."
"These installations will be the blueprint for utilities and large scale solar plant owners and operators, demonstrating rapid, cost effective and reliable integration of grid interconnected distributed solar power generation onto the local and national grid networks," continued Rhoades. "We are excited to be a part of this world class team of energy innovators driving the next generation of utility scale solar."