Sempra Energy dedicates Copper Mountain Solar plant

By Jennifer RobisonLAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

March 19, 2011 - 1:03 am

Sempra Energy on Friday officially dedicated its Copper Mountain Solar plant near Boulder City.

Gov. Brian Sandoval was on hand for the event, along with Sempra executives.

Copper Mountain Solar, a 380-acre photovoltaic-panel plant, is billed as America's largest solar generating station. The plant's 48 megawatts can power about 14,000 homes.

Copper Mountain began delivering power to the grid in June.

Pacific Gas & Electric has agreed to a 20-year power-purchasing deal for the electricity generated at Copper Mountain. The power will go to homes that the utility serves in California.

Local electric utility NV Energy negotiated with San Diego-based Sempra to buy the power from Copper Mountain, but talks fell apart after Pacific Gas & Electric offered a higher price for the power.

Officials haven't disclosed the power-purchase price in the deal.

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