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California Firm Completes 35MW Solar Project by Staff Brighter Energy, September 30, 2011

Silicon Valley firm Cupertino Electric, Inc., has completed two ground-mount solar photovoltaic (PV) stations totaling 35 Megawatts (MW) for Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) in Central California. Construction of the aggressive schedule project began in April 2011 and is comprised of two sites: a 20-MW site in Helm and a 15-MW site located in Five Points, California.

"PG&E's solar PV program is focused on speeding up the delivery of renewable energy to our customers," said Randy Livingston, vice president of power generation for PG&E.

"These projects demonstrate PG&E's ongoing commitment to providing more green power and being a leader in California's clean energy future."

The 20-MW Stroud Solar Station and 15-MW Westside Solar Station were designed and built by Cupertino Electric under a five-year PG&E clean energy initiative, which includes up to 250 MW of utility-owned solar generation.

The facilities represent part of the first 50 MW of PG&E's utility-owned generation.

The generation plants are interconnected to the electric grid with the approval of California's Independent System Operator (CAL-ISO) at local PG&E distribution substations, the company said.

"Our ability to optimize the PV solar station design and integrate innovative construction techniques allowed us to simultaneously deliver both solar PV stations cost-effectively and ahead of schedule," said John Curcio, chief commercial officer for Cupertino Electric, Inc.

"We are extremely pleased to collaborate with PG&E to advance PG&E's renewable energy program and support job creation in the Central Valley."

Cupertino Electric, Inc. (CEI) is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. and has provided expert engineering and construction services for a constantly evolving world for more than 57 years.

Its Energy Alternatives Division designs, constructs and manages innovative solar and alternative energy solutions.