Annotation4

Moore, Meredith, and Alan Bernheimer. "NRG to Acquire 290-Megawatt Agua Caliente Solar Project from First Solar." // First Solar-News Release //. First Solar, 14 Dec. 2010. Web. .

** Where does the author work, what else has s/he written about, and what are her/his credentials? **  The authors are media representatives for NRG and First Solar. NRG Solar is part of NRG Energy, Inc. NRG Energy, Inc has a diverse clean energy portfolio from solar, wind, nuclear, and electric vehicles. First Solar is a manufacturer of photovoltaics.

** What is the main topic or argument of the text? **  This is a recent report on the progress of a recent project. NRG Solar has agreed to acquire First Solar’s photovoltaic solar power plant. This project will bring a lot of opportunities to Yuma County, AZ.

** Describe at least three ways that the main topic or argument is fleshed out. **  Agua Caliente will be the largest working photovoltaic power plant in the world. Using advanced thin films as the main technology in the solar panels, it will generate 290 MW. The plant is expected to be completed by 2014. The Agua Caliente Solar project has a 25 year power purchase agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, delivering clean energy to 225,000 homes.  The plant will not produce any emissions. This plant will have the capacity to offset 5.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in the span of 25 years. This is the same as removing 40000 cars off the road every year. No waste material will be produced in the process, and no water will be consumed in the process. The plant will occupy 2400 acres of land between Yuma and Phoenix, AZ, and it has already obtained all permits essential to start construction.  400 construction jobs will become available through this initiative. Several economic benefits will result for many local businesses as well. The project was submitted to qualify a U.S. Department of Energy federal loan guarantee. An additional $800 million is expected to be invested from NRG.

** What three quotes capture the critical import of the text? ** **  “‘  ** Solar power is critical to transitioning our nation to having a greater emphasis on large-scale clean energy technologies and it is going to be projects of the scale of Agua Caliente that will help us achieve this ambitious goal,’ said David Crane, President and CEO of NRG Energy.” “‘Agua Caliente is representative of our mission to provide clean, affordable, sustainable solar energy, capitalizing on our advanced thin-film technology and the tremendous solar resource of Arizona,’ said Rob Gillette, CEO of First Solar.” “‘Arizona is a key area of growth for NRG where our investment is creating local jobs and building infrastructure,’ said Tom Doyle, president of NRG Solar and a Phoenix resident.”

** Explain how the argument and evidence in the text supports your research focus. ** The focus of my research is to investigate the status of solar energy in the United States. This one particular project is located in Arizona, and it involves thin-film photovoltaics. The Agua Caliente solar project is expected to be the largest photovoltaic power plant, and it is expected to create a lot of job opportunities and benefits to the state in revenues. Furthermore, this technology is very clean, for there are no emissions and it does not require water consumption. 