Mount Signal Solar

History

Originally the project was called SES Solar Two, was to be of Stirling engine design, and was approved by California Energy Commission on September 29, 2010. AES Solar changed the name to Imperial Valley Solar, but later notified the commission on June 30, 2011 of its intention to no longer pursue the project. AES Solar and 8minuteenergy Renewables subsequently announced on February 17, 2012 their plan to revive the project, changing the technology from solar thermal to photovoltaic, and changing the project name to Mount Signal Solar.

The first phase started construction in 2012 and went online in 2014, providing 266 MW_p (206 MW_AC) to San Diego Gas & Electric under a 25-year agreement. More than 3 million thin-film CdTe photovoltaic modules from First Solar and 138 skids designed and manufactured by Elettronica Santerno are used. It was the world's largest solar project using single-axis trackers to follow the path of the sun upon completion. The cost of this first unit was $365 million.

Phases two and three consist of 200 MW_p and 328 MW_p of power, respectively, on 3,200 acres (1,300 ha) contracted to Southern California Edison. Phase 2 was commissioned in January 2020, while Phase 3 went online in July 2018. Phase 3 consists of 2.8 million Series 4 thin film panels from First Solar.