Pasadena (CA) - Southern California Edison (SCE) has signed a contract with eSolar to construct solar power plants with a total capacity of 245 MW by 2013.

Solar technology developer eSolar, which recently received $130 million in founding (including $10 million from Google) earlier this year, received its first major contract from SCE. The signed agreement calls for solar power plants built in the Lancaster area in Southern California with a total output of 245 MW. The first plants are scheduled to go into operation by 2011, delivering about 105 MW by 2012. The full capacity is expected to be reached in 2013.  

eSolar is offering complete solar power solutions capable of delivering about 33 MW through a 160-acre installation. Based on this specification, the SCE plant's size may come in at just under 1200 acres (1.9 square miles). eSolar claims that its power plants scale to about 500 MW.

eSolar’s technology is based on pre-fabricated modules consisting of several solar towers each. These towers are associated with thousands of mirrors (heliostats), which can track the sun over the course of the day and reflect light to a receiver at the top of each tower. The concentrated light boils water in a central receiver, routing the steam to a traditional turbine to produce electricity.
SCE claims that it is the nation’s leading purchaser of solar energy, buying more than 90% of U.S. production. SCE said that its current portfolio includes 1025 MW created by wind energy, 906 MW through geothermal sources, 354 MW from solar, 174 MW from biomass and 226 MW from small hydro.

Southern California Edison claims it is the largest electric utility in California, serving a population of more than 13 million via 4.8 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.

now hiring window washers...

Jun 03, 2008 19:59     

we have passed the year 2K right? We dont have flying cars yet, and we have solar power... but the same type of solar power that we could have had 50-100 years ago! During a clowdy day what happens? I mean at least with normal solar cells can still collect light in the shade... but if this dosnt get enough power to boil water for the day then it puts out nothing. Someone needs to find a cheap way to manufacture and install solar cells quick so that we can all have our own personal power for smaller appliences, and just use the grid for the big stuff like the heater/water boiler/AC etc. Thats they only way were going to get anywhere on a wide scale.

Caeden report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +4

Hmmm, two square miles of ....

Jun 04, 2008 02:16     

That's two square miles of destroyed habitat and blighted landscape. This is more footprint than drilling the entire ANWR would take up. I heard it supplies 30,000 homes. 2sqaure miles of land gone - leveled, hygenically cleansed, and top reworked to keep dust and particle matter down... for 30,000 homes that barely cover over the same area... I guess it the left supports it, it's ok to destroy 2 square miles of earth.

SiliconDoc report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

what about roofs?

Jun 04, 2008 07:27     

Why not put the solar panels on the roofs of houses? That's only give benefits.
Foundation report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Lets be smart, and....

Jun 04, 2008 15:09     

Decrease the earth's surface albido rate by adding two square miles of non-light/heat reflecting solar panels on the earth's ice caps.
Mr. Paco report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

ANWR

Jun 04, 2008 18:30     

"This is more footprint than drilling the entire ANWR would take up." No, just no. It is hard to believe you are serious.
Ryan report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Actually, it is...

Jun 05, 2008 18:50     

"No, just no." - Well thought out. The amount of protected species that are in the Antelope Valley are ridiculous. Not only animals, but plant... http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m5072/is_n4_v15/ai_14370505 That article is 15 years old...it's not like these things are becoming less regulated in California. Ryan...check your facts. I lived in the AV for years. The wrong turtle steps onto the AFB runway...the whole Air Force Base shuts down.

Jeremy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

RE: Jeremy

Jun 06, 2008 10:44     

Jeremy. Prudhoe Bay alone by current technology would take 2000 acres to develop. Two square miles is about 1280 acres. If you think they can develop the ANWR with 1280 acres, I have to agree with Ryan, it's hard to believe you are serious. Is that well thought out enough for you?
Shawn report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0