ABB to construct Photovoltaic plant in Nevada for SunEdison

ABB Inc. - 04.26.2012

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, today announced that it has secured a contract from SunEdison, a leading worldwide solar energy services provider, to build a photovoltaic power plant at the Apex Industrial Park in the City of North Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 24.8 megawatt (MWdc) PV plant will supply clean renewable solar power to NV Energy from an array of 87,168 solar panels covering an area of 154 acres on private land, equivalent to approximately 116 football fields. The PV power plant is set to start delivering power to the grid in the second quarter of 2012.

SunEdison stated that ABB’s expertise in interconnecting solar power onto the power grid using advanced power and automation technologies played a key role in the selection, as did ABB’s expertise in high voltage connections and substations. As a result, this partnership will bring the benefits of solar power to the people of Nevada.

ABB's scope includes engineering design, supply, construction and commissioning of the balance of system (BOS) for the 24.8 MWdc photovoltaic power plant. This scope includes plant design and installation of PV panels, inverters and trackers.

The solution consists of the DC collection system, AC transformation center, 69 kilovolt (kV) switchyard and interconnection to the NV Energy transmission line. ABB will supply 2000 kVA pad mounted transformers, medium voltage (MV) switchgear and the central plant SCADA system using the AC 500 automation system. This advanced control system provides remote control and diagnostics capability to maximize plant availability, production and efficiency.

Supervisory control is based on ABB’s AC500 programmable logic controller using Power Generation Portal (PGP) Human System Interface (HSI). This advanced control system provides remote monitoring, control and diagnostics capability to maximize production and efficient plant operation.

“The North American solar market continues to experience unprecedented growth, and this solar EPC order, ABB’s first in North America, firmly establishes ABB as a recognized turnkey supplier for the PV solar market,” said Gary Shaw, ABB vice president and general manager, Renewables Americas. “With over 20 years experience in solar power generation and unparalleled R&D efforts, ABB is driving the global renewable energy market. ABB’s high quality solutions, engineering expertise and dedication will provide SunEdison with the support they need in complex projects like this.”

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 135,000 people. The company's North American operations, headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, employ about 20,000 people in multiple manufacturing, service and other major facilities.

For more information, please contact:

Bill Rose
ABB Media Relations
919-807-5743 - office
919-244-4879 – mobile
bill.rose@us.abb.com