Sempra Energy (SRE.N) said on Thursday that it plans to expand its Copper Mountain Solar power plant, the largest in the United States, and would sell the electricity to Pacific Gas and Electric Co (PCG.N). The plant, in Boulder City, Nevada, will add another 150 megawatts in photovoltaic solar capacity and will be built by First Solar (FSLR.O). Sempra and First Solar built the first Copper Mountain project, which was completed last year and has a capacity of 48 MW. The companies previously built a 10 MW plant in Boulder City that went into operation in 2008. The first 92 MW of the planned expansion is expected to be completed by January 2013, with the remaining 58 MW completed by 2015. The new development will provide enough power to supply 45,000 homes.
Sempra Energy is a holding company. The Company operates in six segments: San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E), Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), Sempra Generation, Sempra Pipelines & Storage, Sempra LNG (liquefied natural gas) and Sempra Commodities. Shares of SRE fell by 2.31% or $-1.15/share to $48.53. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $49.04 and as high as $55.97. On average, 1156330 shares of SRE exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 1258630.
PG&E Corporation is a holding company whose primary purpose is to hold interests in energy-based businesses. Shares of PCG traded higher by 0.52% or $0.21/share to $40.69. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $39.93 and as high as $48.63. On average, 2634690 shares of PCG exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 3627411.
First Solar, Inc. (First Solar) manufactures and sells solar modules with an advanced thin-film semiconductor technology. Shares of FSLR fell by 5.32% or $-6.13/share to $109.12. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $111.40 and as high as $175.45. On average, 1699350 shares of FSLR exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 1725916.
