NRG Energy, SunPower Energize First 22 Megawatts of 250-Megawatt California Valley Solar Ranch

PRINCETON, N.J. & SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) and SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWR) will celebrate today the first 22 megawatts (MW) of the 250-MW California Valley Solar Ranch (CVSR) being delivered to the electrical grid.

CVSR is one of the largest central station photovoltaic solar plants in the world. It has created approximately 350 jobs since construction started in September 2011, and is expected to inject $315 million into the local economy over its two-year construction period. NRG completed the acquisition of CVSR on September 30, 2011.

Once completed, CVSR will power a yearly average of 100,000 homes with clean, renewable solar energy, while protecting and conserving more than 12,000 acres of land in and around the Carrizo Plain in southeastern San Luis Obispo County, about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Electricity from CVSR is being sold to PG&E through 25-year power purchase agreements.

“The private sector’s role is to demonstrate successful performance that speeds commercialization of technology—on time and on budget—and that’s what we’re doing at CVSR and all of NRG’s major solar projects,” said Tom Doyle, president of NRG Solar and NRG’s West Region. “Equally important, through large scale deployment, the private sector is accelerating cost reductions through supply chain improvements, lower balance of system costs and progress through experience that can’t be achieved at the lab bench or in the factory.”

NRG is the sole owner of the project, which is expected to be fully online by December 2013. SunPower designed the project, and is working with Bechtel to provide balance of plant engineering and procurement services and construction services. Once completed, NRG and SunPower will jointly operate and maintain CVSR for two years, after which NRG assumes sole responsibility.

“We congratulate NRG and SunPower on this important milestone at the California Valley Solar Ranch,” said Fong Wan, senior vice president, energy procurement, Pacific Gas and Electric Company. “PG&E provides to its customers some of the cleanest electricity in the nation, more than half of which comes from sources that are renewable or carbon free. This project will play an important role in our efforts to meet California’s 33% renewable portfolio standard and make progress towards a clean energy future for all Californians.”

“We are very pleased that CVSR is now delivering 22 megawatts of cost-competitive solar power in San Luis Obispo County, while creating jobs and economic opportunity for the local community,” said Howard Wenger, SunPower president, regions. “Once the project is completed next year, SunPower’s world-leading high-efficiency technology and history of reliable performance will maximize the solar energy delivered to PG&E’s customers over the life of the system.”

“The companies have worked very hard with county staff, resource agencies, environmental organizations and the local community to construct a renewable energy facility while protecting the unique and sensitive landscape of the Carrizo Plain,” said Jim Patterson, chairman of the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors. “We appreciate both the local and global environmental and economic benefits this project has brought to our county."

NRG has four large-scale solar plants fully or partially operational and three other projects currently under construction across California, Arizona and New Mexico, plus several distributed solar projects at locations across the country. In the U.S., approximately 190 megawatts of large-scale SunPower plants are operating, with more than 1,000 megawatts under contract.

About NRG and NRG Solar

NRG is at the forefront of changing how people think about and use energy. A Fortune 500 company, NRG is a pioneer in developing cleaner and smarter energy choices for our customers: whether as one of the largest solar power developers in the country, or by building the first privately funded electric vehicle charging infrastructure or by giving customers the latest smart energy solutions to better manage their energy use. Our diverse power generating facilities can support over 20 million homes and our retail electricity providers—Reliant, Green Mountain Energy Company and Energy Plus—serve more than two million customers.

NRG Solar LLC, a subsidiary of NRG, has more than 2,000 MW of photovoltaic and solar thermal projects under development or in construction across the southwestern United States. More information is available at www.nrgenergy.com.

NRG Completes First Two Projects under $1 Million Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Build Solar Energy Sites in Haiti

PRINCETON, N.J. & PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti--(Solar Energy News)--President Bill Clinton and David Crane, President and CEO of NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG), toured several sites in Haiti’s Central Plateau today to view the progress of solar power installations funded by NRG’s $1 million commitment made through the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). These projects are being done in partnership with the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF), a nonprofit organization that designs and implements solar energy solutions in developing countries, and include an additional $500,000 pledge from the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.

“NRG’s commitment in Haiti’s Central Plateau demonstrates the positive effects solar power installations can have on a community,” said President Clinton. “I am proud that my Foundation has partnered with NRG on this project, which works with Haitian schools, farms and businesses to make a real difference in the lives of Boucan Carré residents in an environmentally friendly manner. I was glad to visit NRG’s project sites and see the progress being made, and I look forward to seeing its success continue.”

These projects reflect the William J. Clinton Foundation’s longstanding commitment to building Haiti’s green energy structure. The Foundation has worked with a variety of green technology organizations in Haiti, including NRG, to address Haiti’s high energy costs. Clinton Foundation partners are working on low-cost clean energy alternatives, creating recycling systems to help manage Haiti’s waste, and developing new methods for cooking through effective cook stoves and recycled briquettes to replace charcoal.

NRG’s The Sun Lights the Way: Brightening Boucan Carré CGI commitment encompasses a variety of solar projects, both completed and under development, including: two fish farms, 20 schools, a drip irrigation system for farming and two micro enterprise centers that support small Haitian businesses.

“It’s been a privilege to work with CGI and our partners to identify, plan and execute solar projects that bring light, hope and lasting positive impact to this region of Haiti,” said Crane. “Solar power makes absolutely perfect sense in a country that suffers from low electrification rates, high dependency on fossil fuels and high supply prices. As the largest solar developer in the U.S., NRG is proud to bring our industry leadership and expertise to Haiti.”

The first of NRG’s CGI commitment projects on the tour was a completed system at the Lashto Fish Farm. The fish hatchery, operated by Caribbean Harvest, uses 63 PV panels (14,490 watts total) and a battery system to provide 24/7 power under normal weather conditions. This clean, renewable electricity runs the fish tank air filtration system, enabling increased production of tilapia and additional fish farming jobs that contribute to economic prosperity and food security for the region.

The Bon Berger du Domond School was toured as an example of solar installations currently being developed at a score of Haitian schools. The school, which was constructed through a donation from the Digicel Foundation, uses 12 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels (2,760 watts total) and a backup battery system to power lights, computers and an electric piano, enabling the school to teach adult literacy classes and serve as a community center at night.

Additional solar installations at facilities operated by Partners in Health— Mirebalais Hospital and Boucan Carré Health Center, a rural health clinic—were included on the tour.

“We’re honored to partner with NRG, CGI, and the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund to make these projects a reality,” said Bob Freling, Executive Director of SELF. “Solar energy can have a tremendous impact on the revitalization of many communities in Haiti. The facilities toured today demonstrate how solar significantly improves people’s lives.”

NRG and its employees have been dedicated to helping Haiti recover from the devastating January 2010 earthquake from early on--donating $428,000 for immediate relief aid and another $100,000 to fund the construction of a school soon after the earthquake. NRG’s commitment to CGI furthers the Company’s desire to see the Haitian people not only recover from the earthquake, but build a thriving, sustainable economy and improve conditions for women and children.

Other companies that contributed significant equipment and resources to make these projects successful include Droompac, Found Object, JA Solar, OutBack Power, Surrette Battery Company and Trina Solar.

About NRG

NRG is at the forefront of changing how people think about and use energy. A Fortune 500 company, NRG is a pioneer in developing cleaner and smarter energy choices for our customers: whether as one of the largest solar power developers in the country, or by building the first privately funded electric vehicle charging infrastructure or by giving customers the latest smart energy solutions to better manage their energy use. Our diverse power generating facilities can support more than 20 million homes and our retail electricity providers – Reliant, Green Mountain Energy Company and Energy Plus – serve more than two million customers. More information is available at www.nrgenergy.com.

About SELF

The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) is a Washington, DC based nonprofit whose mission is to implement solar energy solutions in developing countries to assist rural communities with economic, education, health and agricultural development. Its “Whole Village” development model takes an innovative approach in using integrated solar systems to improve the lives of the 1.5 billion people living in energy poverty throughout the world. Since 1990, SELF has completed projects in more than 20 countries, pioneering unique applications of solar power for drip irrigation in Benin, health care in Haiti, telemedicine in the Amazon rainforest, online learning in South Africa, and microenterprise development in Nigeria. Please visit www.SELF.org.

PsomasFMG and NRG Solar to Build Distributed Solar Projects in California

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. & PRINCETON, N.J.--(Solar Energy News)--PsomasFMG LLC and NRG Solar LLC, a division of NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) plan to develop jointly an initial portfolio of solar projects totaling over 11 megawatts (MW). The two largest projects are a 7.3 MW project for the William S. Hart School District in Santa Clarita, Calif., and a 3.3 MW project with the County of Orange, Calif. All of the projects include signed power purchase agreements with the facility owners to buy the solar-generated electricity.

“PsomasFMG’s rapid and remarkable growth is a result of combining our technical know-how with our financial expertise, and we are delivering results to our clients in the form of green energy that lowers their power bills, all with no money down,” said Lou Kwiker, Chief Executive Officer of PsomasFMG. “Partnering with NRG Solar will help give us the resources necessary to keep our growth rate strong and demonstrates that the industry understands the effectiveness of our model and our people.”

The project with the County of Orange will span five county facilities, including the Peace Officer’s Training Facility and County Registrar of Voters, and consist of ground-mounted and carport applications utilizing the latest photovoltaic technology. The solar installations will allow the county and school district to harness the power of renewable energy as well as achieve clear insight into their power costs for years into the future.

“Developing solar energy projects for a government agency such as ours can be a difficult and complicated process, but PsomasFMG has assisted us every step of the way,” said Thomas G. Mauk, County Executive Officer for the County of Orange. “We are confident that PsomasFMG’s expertise, track record, and integrity will lead to a successful project, making our county greener and bringing taxpayers significant savings on our energy costs.”

PsomasFMG will design and manage the construction of the projects through an EPC contractor, while NRG will provide raw materials such as solar panels and power inverters, plus financial resources. The companies will split revenues according to the contributions made for each project.

“NRG’s solar generation portfolio continues to expand in both the large-scale solar and the distributed generation spaces. Partnering with fast-growing companies such as PsomasFMG makes great sense to us,” said Tom Doyle, President and CEO of NRG Solar. “We are excited about the potential of our partnership with PsomasFMG as we advance the development of solar power in California to help meet the state’s ambitious renewable energy goals.”

NRG Solar has more than 2,000 MW of large-scale photovoltaic and solar thermal projects under development or in construction across the southwestern United States and dozens of distributed solar locations in the Western Hemisphere. NRG installed the largest solar array in Washington D.C. at FedExField for the National Football League’s Washington Redskins and has several more football stadium installations under way.

For the Antelope Valley Union High School District in northern Los Angeles County, PsomasFMG designed, engineered, financed, constructed and began to operate the largest school-based solar project to date in the United States, a 9.6 MW project spread over 10 sites. In 2010, PsomasFMG was the #1 solar developer in Southern California Edison territory, ranked by the number of systems and total megawatts either built or being developed. PsomasFMG is currently pursuing a very extensive pipeline of projects with several local governmental agencies, which it expects to build in 2012.