North Star Solar was acquired by First Solar on April 10, 2013.
Photo courtesy of REC.
 

SDG&E signed two contracts for a total of 14.7 MW with TerraGen Development Company, LLC for two wind projects located in Kern and Riverside Counties, and a 20 MW solar contract with E.ON Climate and Renewables, LLC for a facility to be built in Kern County. Finally, SDG&E signed a 7 MW solar contract with Northlight Power and another 20 MW contract with Silverado Power, LLC; both of these solar photovoltaic projects will be located in San Diego County.

For the second year in a row, SDG&E surpassed the 20 percent mark in renewable power in proportion to overall power sales. In 2012, approximately 20.3 percent of the energy delivered to retail customers was provided by renewable energy sources, such as wind, geothermal, biomass, hydroelectric and solar facilities. In 2011, the company reported renewable energy deliveries representing a total of 20.8 percent.

SDG&E signed 13 renewable contracts in 2012 and 23 contracts in 2011 for a total of 36 renewable contracts totaling over 1,750 MW of generation capacity over the past two years. These contracts put SDG&E in a position to maintain California’s 20 percent renewable portfolio requirements in the 2011 to 2013 time frame and achieve the 25 percent renewable power requirement by 2016. SDG&E is on track to meet or exceed the state’s mandate that 33 percent of its retail sales be produced from renewable energy projects by 2020.

“After starting with less than one-percent renewable energy in 2002, SDG&E put an aggressive course of action in place to obtain competitively priced renewable power for our customers to meet California’s renewable requirements,” said James P. Avery, SDG&E senior vice president, power supply. “This has resulted in a well-balanced renewable portfolio that encompasses a broad spectrum of energy sources including solar, wind, biomass, biogas and geothermal energy.”

The first large scale renewable energy project developed in San Diego County since 2006 - the 26 MW NRG Solar Borrego Project - went into commercial operation on February 12. SDG&E also has six projects currently under construction in the Imperial Valley, including the Ocotillo Express Wind Project, which connected to the Sunrise Powerlink last December. These Imperial Valley contracts were made possible due to the construction of the Sunrise Powerlink, put into service last June, providing renewable developers in Imperial County a way to make new projects a reality. 

For more information on SDG&E’s progress towards achieving renewable goals and developments please visit SDGE.com/RenewableFuture.

SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 860,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility’s area spans 4,100 square miles. SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help customers save energy and money every day. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego. Connect with SDG&E’s Customer Contact Center at 800-411-7343, on Twitter (@SDGE) and Facebook.

The photovoltaic (PV) solar plant is expected to start construction in 2014 and be completed in 2015, providing up to 410 construction jobs. When fully operational, it will produce enough clean, renewable energy to power over 21,000 average California homes while displacing approximately 33,000 metric tons of water consumption and 39,000 metric tons of CO2 per year—the equivalent of taking about 7,500 cars off the road each year.

The North Star project is located near the city of Mendota and has a 20-year power purchase agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

"We’re excited to be acquiring and constructing our first utility-scale photovoltaic power project in Fresno County," said James F. Cook, First Solar Director of Project Development. "North Star will provide much-needed construction employment in a hard-hit economy, while helping the state satisfy its renewable energy requirements."

"Summit Power Group is pleased to be working with First Solar on this project," said Dana Zentz, Vice President of Commercial Development for Summit and Managing Director of NorthLight Power. "We have received and been thankful for tremendous support from the local community, and look forward to continuing success with other solar projects that are in our current development portfolio within NorthLight Power."

About First Solar, Inc.
First Solar is a leading global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) solar systems which use its advanced module and system technology. The company’s integrated power plant solutions deliver an economically attractive alternative to fossil-fuel electricity generation today. From raw material sourcing through end-of-life module recycling, First Solar’s renewable energy systems protect and enhance the environment. For more information about First Solar, please visit www.firstsolar.com.

About Renewable Energy Corporation ASA
REC is a leading global provider of solar electricity solutions. With nearly two decades of expertise, REC offers sustainable, high-performing products, services and investment opportunities for the solar and electronics industries. Together with its partners, REC creates value by providing solutions that better meet the world's growing electricity needs. Our 2,300 employees worldwide generated revenues of more than NOK 7 billion in 2012, approximately EUR 1 billion or USD 1.3 billion. To see more of what REC can offer, visit www.recgroup.com.

About Summit Power Group
Seattle-based Summit Power Group, LLC excels in the innovative development of electric power projects. Led by experienced professionals with an extensive knowledge of the energy industry in the United States and abroad, Summit has a remarkable track record of developing large, low-carbon energy projects, with over 7,000 megawatts of electric power plants that it has developed for its clients in operation, and over 2,000 MW in development or under construction. Total Summit-led projects in service or under contract, including O & M agreements, represent over 7 billion dollars of investment. For more information about Summit Power Group, please visit: www.summitpower.com.

For First Solar Investors
This release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The forward-looking statements in this release do not constitute guarantees of future performance. Those statements involve a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including risks associated with the company's business involving the company's products, their development and distribution, economic and competitive factors and the company's key strategic relationships and other risks detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. First Solar assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release or with respect to the announcements described herein.

Contacts:

First Solar media

Ted Meyer
+1 602-427-3318
ted.meyer@firstsolar.com

or

Steve Krum
+1 602-427-3359
steve.krum@firstsolar.com

First Solar Investors

David Brady
+1 602 414-9315
dbrady@firstsolar.com

or

Ryan Ferguson
+1 602 414-9315
rferguson@firstsolar.com

Renewable Energy Corporation

Arndt E. Lutz
+1 917-319-8044

Summit Power

Ray Vincenzo
+1 206-290-4431
press@summitpower.com

Commercial operation in 2015.
Photo courtesy of REC.

Scheduled for commercial operation in 2014.
Photo courtesy of REC.

Commercial operation in 2014.
Photo courtesy of REC.

NorthLight Power expands on Summit Power’s track record of developing more than 7,000 MW of electric power plants in the US, as well as REC’s globally-recognized solar PV manufacturing expertise.  REC is successfully ramping up one of the world’s largest integrated solar production facilities in Singapore.   
The NorthLight team has extensive experience in all aspects of utility-scale solar project development, and is pursuing projects across the Western US.  NorthLight covers the full range of project development activities such as securing suitable sites, permitting, establishing PPA contracts, grid interconnection, EPC management, and arranging project financing.  NorthLight has unique capabilities in developing tailored projects for both public and investor owned utilities at the lowest possible cost – in short, NorthLight is streamlining solar deployment while providing long term value to its partners and customers.

NorthLight Power recently has, through its affiliate North Star Solar, LLC, signed a 60 megawatt (ac) solar power purchase agreement (PPA) with Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E).  The North Star solar power plant will be constructed with high performance solar PV modules manufactured by REC, and is scheduled to be operational in 2013.  Implementation of the project is subject to approval by the California Public Utilities Commission. The North Star installation is expected to provide enough daytime power to serve about 40,000 homes.

“Through NorthLight Power, we are pleased to have established a strong partnership with Summit Power Group, a company with an excellent track record of developing large, clean energy projects in the US,” said Terje Pilskog, Senior Vice President of REC Systems, and Board of Director of NorthLight.
“Summit is delighted to be expanding its energy project portfolio in the U.S. through its new partnership with the world class solar company REC,” said Dana Zentz, Vice President of Summit Power, and Managing Director of NorthLight.  “NorthLight Power boasts an outstanding team of seasoned project developers who will help U.S. utilities advance their efforts to bring additional utility-scale solar projects online.”


About REC
REC is a leading vertically integrated player in the solar energy industry. REC is among the world's largest producers of polysilicon and wafers for solar applications, and a rapidly growing manufacturer of solar cells and modules. REC is also engaged in project development activities in selected PV segments. Founded in Norway, REC is an international solar company, employing more than 4,100 people worldwide. REC had revenues in excess of NOK 9 billion in 2009.  Please visit www.recgroup.com to learn more about REC.

About Summit
Summit Power Group, Inc. excels in the innovative development of electric power projects. Led by experienced professionals with a deep knowledge of the energy industry in the United States and abroad, Summit Power Group, Inc. has an excellent track record of successfully leading the development of large, clean energy projects with over 7,000 megawatts of electric power plants in operation, and over 1,000 megawatts under development or under construction. Total Summit-led projects in service or under contract, including O&M agreements, represents over 9 billion US$ of investments.  Please visit www.summitpower.com to learn more about Summit Power Group.
 
For more information, visit www.northlightpower.com  or contact: PR@northlightpower.com  or (510) 922-1607.

NorthLight Power is a joint-venture between REC and the Summit Power Group, Inc, and will act as project developer of the North Star project.

The NorthLight/PG&E power purchase agreement anticipates delivery of electricity to PG&E based on the construction of the 60 megawatt (ac) North Star solar power plant in Mendota, Fresno County, California. The North Star solar power plant is intended to be constructed with solar PV modules manufactured by REC.

The realization of the project is, amongst other things, subject to approval by the California Public Utilities Commission, completion of CAISO interconnection studies, and receipt of certain environmental and other permits related to the site in Fresno County. Realization of the project also requires that NorthLight Power secures external equity and debt financing for the project on behalf of North Star Solar. It is not REC's intention to act as equity owner of the project.

The project is expected to be in operation by the end of the second quarter 2013. NorthLight Power is currently working to select an EPC provider for the project.

REC is pleased to have established a strong partnership with Summit Power Group which has an excellent track record of developing large, clean energy projects in the US.

For further information, please contact:
John Andersen Jr., Executive Vice President & Group COO, tel + 47 90174080
Mikkel Tørud, VP & IRO, tel +47 976 99 144

About REC
REC is a leading vertically integrated player in the solar energy industry. REC is among the world's largest producers of polysilicon and wafers for solar applications, and a rapidly growing manufacturer of solar cells and modules. REC is also engaged in project development activities in selected PV segments. Founded in Norway, REC is an international solar company, employing more than 4,100 people worldwide. REC had revenues in excess of NOK 9 billion in 2009.  Please visit www.recgroup.com to learn more about REC.

About Summit Power Group
Summit Power Group, Inc. excels in the innovative development of electric power projects. Led by experienced professionals with a deep knowledge of the energy industry in the United States and abroad, Summit Power Group, Inc. has an excellent track record of successfully leading the development of large, clean energy projects with over 7 000 megawatts of electric power plants in operation, and over 1 000 megawatts under development or under construction. Total Summit-led projects in service or under contract, including O&M agreements, represents over 9 billion US$ of investments.  Please visit www.summitpower.com to learn more about Summit Power Group.