Isra-Mart srl : First Solar expansion creates biggest PV plant in world

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Isra-Mart SRL news:

Thin film solar manufacturer First Solar has completed the expansion of a solar project in Ontario, Canada, making it the largest photovoltaic project in the world.

The Sarnia, Ontario-based project was originally a 20MW facility. However, the company has worked with energy delivery firm Enbridge to expand the project into an 80MW solar farm.

The expanded facility will be formally opened later today at a ceremony attended by Ontario Energy Minister, Brad Duguid.

According to Enbridge, which bought 100 per cent of the plant from First Solar last year, the upgraded power plant produces enough energy for 12,800 homes, and saves 39,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

It cost around CDN$300m to expand, and now covers around 973,000 square metres with 1.3 million thin film solar modules manufactured by First Solar.

Significantly, the project appears to be the only photovoltaic solar farm in Enbridge's portfolio with the rest of the company's 800MW of low carbon power generated from sources including geothermal, wind, and fuel cells.

First Solar had originally experienced trouble recognising revenue from the Sarnia project, which contributed to a 17 per cent plunge in its share value last October. The company’s net profit plummetted by 12.7 per cent in the second fiscal quarter of this year.

The next largest photovoltaic solar projects in the world are a 60MW plant in Olmedilla, Spain, followed by a 54MW unit in Strasskirchen Solar Park in Straßkirchen, Germany, and a 53MW installation at Solarpark Lieberose, also in Germany.