Italy To Receive Europe’s Largest PV Plant To Date

SunEdison, a division of MEMC Electronic Materials Inc., received final approval from the Italian government to develop and construct a 72 MW photovoltaic power plant in Northeastern Italy, near the town of Rovigo. When completed, this is expected to be the largest solar power plant in Europe. SunEdison will jointly develop the project with Spanish financing partner Banco Santander, with additional financial partners expected to join the project for final ownership.

Power generation is expected to begin in the second half of 2010 with final completion expected by year’s end. In the first full year of operation, the system will generate sufficient energy to power 17,150 homes, and avoid venting 41,000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere — the equivalent of removing 8000 cars from the road.

According to a government official of the Veneto region where the plant will be built, the project is expected to create >350 construction jobs and build expertise in advanced energy technologies. Rovigo is expected to serve as a European model for large-scale, alternative energy projects. SunEdison selected Isolux Corsán, a large-scale infrastructure construction company with a strong track record in utility scale solar plants.

At 72 MW, this solar-power plant will be the largest in Europe. Currently, the largest facility is a 60 MW solar farm in Olmedilla, Spain, followed by a 50 MW in Strasskirchen, Germany, built by MEMC through a joint venture agreement.

www.sunedison.com