CNPV Solar Power SA, a public limited liability company organized under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic products, having provided the solar photovoltaic module element to the Enel Green Power (EGP) of the World’s first and only solar-geothermal hybrid project, recently participated in the inauguration ceremony in Churchill County, Nevada, United States.   

The project located in Stillwater, Nevada, initiated and owned by Enel Green Power (EGP), is unique as it will generate electricity using two of the EGP’s most technologically advanced energy harvesting systems. The geothermal plant utilises EGP’s peerless binary process, deploying large scale electric submersible pumps for the extraction of the geothermal fluid, coupled with CNPV’s high harvesting performance, long life solar PV modules.

The integration of these two world class technologies delivers significant techno-commercial benefits including increased production when the thermal efficiency of the geothermal unit is lowest, increased delivery during peak hours resulting in a more load-following production profile, cost savings due to shared infrastructure including transmission interconnection, and less environmental footprint per unit of renewable energy produced and delivered.

With 33MW of geothermal capability and 26MW of solar capacity, the Stillwater plant will generate enough power for at least 16,000 American homes as well as avoiding emissions of around 30,000 tonnes per annum of CO2. With more than 89,000 of CNPV’s high efficiency Poly crystalline premium modules, CNPV-295P installed within the 240 acre solar field, the combined output will be sold to NV Energy.

The inauguration ceremony on May 2, 2012 was hosted by Francesco Venturini, CEO of Enel Green Power North America, and together with Governor Brain Sandoval from the State of Nevada,  Lucas Ingvoldstad, Regional Representative of Senator Harry Reid’s office, Michael Yackira, CEO of NV Energy,  Rebecca Wagner, Commissioner from the Nevada Public Utilities Commission, Peter Krause, regional business unit manager for Siemens Industry, Chris Brooks, Director of Bombard Renewable Energy, and Bypina Veerraju Chaudary, COO & CTO of CNPV Solar Power SA, all contributing to the project dedication ceremony.

"The hybrid project demonstrates Enel Green Power’s leadership and commitment to developing renewable energy projects throughout the world," said Mr Francesco Venturini "Internationally, the Enel group has long been at the forefront of geothermal and other renewable energy technologies. Nevada is certainly leading the nation in the adaption of renewable energy policy and practices. We are proud that our cutting edge technology will positively benefit so many Nevadans."

The Governor of Nevada, Mr Brian Sandoval was equally enthusiastic; "Clean energy is a key sector for Nevada. It provides energy from local resources, drives innovation, and most importantly, brings high-quality jobs and economic growth to the local communities. Enel Green Power’s first-of-a-kind solar geothermal hybrid project is a living example of these benefits and I support the further growth of this industry in Nevada."

"Here begins the future," stated Mr Chaudary, "We are immensely proud to be part of the world’s first geothermal solar PV hybrid energy system, delighted to have been selected based upon the superior financial value that our systems deliver, and we truly believe that as a result of this project and the excellent team in place within Enel Green Power, more projects will now follow."   

From left to right; Mr. Yackira (CEO of NV Energy), Mr. Krause (Siemens), Mr. Brooks ( Bombard), Mr. Venturini ( CEO of EGPNA), Mr. Sandoval ( Governor of Nevada),  Mr Ingvoldstad (Regional Representative of Senator Harry Reid’s office),  Ms Wagner (Commissioner from the Nevada Public Utilities Commission), Mr. Chaudary (COO& CTO of CNPV Solar Power).

The speakers, above, all praised the vision and passion of the participants for this project, and were equally enthusiastic for the future potential opportunities. It was clear from those involved that this is the way forwards in the field of hybrid renewable energy technologies.