Reported by Staff

Colorado’s “newest” largest solar power facility will be built in Alamosa County beginning this spring. The construction and ownership of the 19-MW solar photovoltaic power plant for Xcel Energy is being financed by MetLife and John Hancock Financial Services.

California-based SunPower Corp is the contractor on the project scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

Roughly 100 jobs will be created, according to the parties. CEO David Eves said the PV facility is another component in Public Service Co. of Colorado’s stategy to meet both the state mandate, as well as customer demands for more more renewable energy power sources. How much consumers and businesses will be willing to pay for the clean energy components should utility bills rise is the wild card.

Steve Kandarian, executive vice president and chief investment officer for MetLife, said his company is enthusiastic and fully supportive of renewable energy and its environmental benefits. The financial support provided by MetLife has made it affordable and easier for public entities and businesses to have access to solar electricity, Kandarian added.

SunPower T20 Tracker systems will be utilized in the project, which will effectively increase the plant’s output and reduce the requirement of land. The system will track and move along the path of the sun enabling the modules to capture more energy from the sun.