ARC Renewables gears up for solar energy initiatives
 
ARC Renewables LLC has reportedly purchased 700 acres of land in southwest New Mexico and is seeking a development partner to pursue solar energy initiatives.
 
Referring to multiple renewable RFPs out for bid in New Mexico, Rich Moretz, chief operating officer of ARC Renewables said: "Our site has all the resources - strong solar, on-site transmission lines and flat land."
 
According to Solar Industry, Moretz said ARC is open to any partnership structure that benefits both the partners and power consumers in New Mexico.  The type of solar technology used for the project will be jointly selected by ARC Renewables and its new partner. The new solar facility is scheduled to be in operation within two-four years.
 
Recently, El Paso Electric, Xcel Energy, Public Service Co. of New Mexico and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association issued a request for proposals from solar developers for the construction of a solar thermal facility. According to the RFP, the facility must be located in New Mexico and it must use parabolic trough technology. The project also needs to provide electricity by 2012 and thermal energy storage is encouraged. The utilities said the facility must be able to deliver between 211,000 megwatt hours and 375,000 MWh per year.