Enbridge Inc. and First Solar, Inc. have achieved commercial operation of the 80 MW Sarnia Solar Project, making it the largest operating photovoltaic facility in the world.

First Solar, a manufacturer of PV solar panels and provider of solar solutions, will operate and maintain the Sarnia Solar Project for Enbridge under a long-term contract. First Solar developed, engineered, and constructed the facility, using its advanced thin film solar panels.

"Completing the world's largest PV power plant demonstrates the migration of solar PV toward utility scale," said Frank De Rosa, First Solar's senior vice president of North American project development. "With this project, we expect to install 145 MW this year in North America."

In addition to generating about 120,000 MWh per year of emissions-free power, the Sarnia Solar Project produces no waste and uses PV technology that was designed to create the smallest carbon footprint of any PV technology available. Enbridge expects the facility to generate enough power to meet the needs of about 12,800 homes.

Enbridge will sell the power output of the facility to the Ontario Power Authority pursuant to 20-year Power Purchase Agreements under the terms of the Ontario government's Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program.

Sarnia Solar Energy at a glance:

Capacity peak: about 80 MW of emissions-free power. Power purchaser: Ontario Power Authority. Facility size: Located on 950 acres. Panel surface area: about 966,000 square metres, which is about 1.3 million thin film panels (First Solar)

Annual yield: about 120,000 MWh. CO2 saving: over 39,000 tonnes per year. Jobs created: About 800 jobs created at construction peak, as well as indirect benefits to dozens of businesses in the Sarnia area, including engineering and design firms, construction subcontractors, suppliers and service providers.

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