Sempra Generation has received the 2011 Solar Energy Industries Association Solar Champion Award in the Project Developer category. The national recognition is based on the significant impact the company has made over the last year in "helping build a strong solar industry to power America, and contributing to the industry goal of achieving 10 gigawatts of new annual installed capacity by 2015."

The award was announced at the Solar Power International 2011 conference, which is currently underway in Dallas.

"We are truly honored to be recognized by the Solar Energy Industries Association, which is leading the way to advance and grow the U.S. solar industry," said Jeffrey W. Martin, president and chief executive officer of Sempra Generation. "Solar power is positively impacting communities and local economies across the country, and we are excited to have the opportunity to support America's transition to a cleaner energy future."  

Sempra Generation is a leading developer of utility-scale solar projects in the U.S.  The company operates the 48-megawatt (MW) Copper Mountain Solar 1 project in Boulder City, Nev., which is currently the largest photovoltaic solar plant in the U.S.  Construction is expected to begin on a 150-MW expansion of this landmark solar installation in 2012.  The company also recently broke ground on its 150-MW Mesquite Solar 1 project in Arizona, with completion anticipated in 2013.  

"Innovative utility-scale solar project developers are a key piece of the industry's vision of installing 10 gigawatts of solar each year by 2015," said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of Solar Energy Industries Association. "Sempra Generation is helping the utility-scale market make significant strides in meeting that goal to power two million more homes year in and year out with clean, reliable solar energy." 

Solar Energy Industries Association is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry.  Working with its 1,000 member companies, the organization is helping to grow and advance the solar industry through advocacy, policy development and education on the benefits of solar energy.