Chevron Starts Operations of 1 MW CPV Solar Field in Northern New Mexico

Demonstration to evaluate economic viability of emerging concentrating solar photovoltaic technology

Chevron Technology Venture's Questa Solar Project is built near Chevron Mining Inc.'s molybdenum mine in Questa, New Mexico. (Photo: Business Wire)

QUESTA, N.M.--()--Chevron Mining Inc. (CMI), a subsidiary of Chevron Corp (NYSE:CVX) and sister company Chevron Technology Ventures (CTV), a division of Chevron U.S.A., announced the start of one of the country’s largest concentrating photovoltaic solar facilities. The installation, located on the tailing site of CMI’s molybdenum mine in Questa, New Mexico, will demonstrate and evaluate an emerging solar technology and a practical use of previously impacted land.

“Chevron is one of the first companies in the U.S. to demonstrate CPV on this scale. We’re fortunate that we have property in a part of the world with a solar resource that is expected to be most conducive to this type of technology,” said Des King, CTV president.

Chevron installed concentrating photovoltaic technology that uses lenses to collect and focus direct sunlight onto layers of high efficiency cells. This technology is expected to work best in areas like northern New Mexico that have higher direct solar radiation.

The Questa solar field covers approximately 20 acres and includes 173 solar trackers, each about 18 feet by 21 feet in size. The project was constructed with an excellent safety record with no recordable safety related incidents or injuries.

“We made a concerted effort to use local resources and talent whenever possible, and I am convinced that this kind of community engagement was a crucial factor in getting the facility built safely and on time,” said Mark Premo, CMI president.

The field includes Soitec’s concentrator photovoltaic system and has the capacity to generate about one megawatt of electricity, enough to power about 300 New Mexico homes. Electricity produced will be sold to Kit Carson Electric Cooperative through a power purchase agreement.

“We’re pleased Questa is a potential starting place for an emerging solar technology”, said Mayor Esther Garcia, “This project goes a long way in demonstrating the unique solar resource we have in this part of New Mexico.”

Video of the Questa Solar Project can be found on YouTube.

About Chevron Mining Inc

Chevron Mining Inc. is a diversified coal and metal mining company with four US-based mines, including an underground coal mine in Alabama, two surface coal mines in Wyoming and New Mexico, and an underground molybdenum mine in New Mexico. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron Corporation and is headquartered in Englewood, CO.

About Chevron Technology Ventures

Chevron Technology Ventures (CTV), a division of Chevron, USA, Inc., champions innovation, commercialization and integration of emerging technologies and related new business models within Chevron. CTV is pursuing this goal through business units involving biofuels, emerging energy and venture capital.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995.

Some of the items discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements about Chevron's operations. These statements are based upon management's current expectations, estimates and projections; are not guarantees of future performance; and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the company's control and are difficult to predict. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Unless legally required, Chevron undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6689618&lang=en

Contacts

Chevron Mining Inc.
Questa Mine
Margaret Lejuste, 720-544-1378
mlejuste@chevron.com
or
Chevron Technology Ventures
Kim Copelin, 713-825-2074
kcopelin@chevron.com

Release Summary

Chevron Mining Inc. and sister company Chevron Technology Ventures announced the start of one of the country’s largest concentrating photovoltaic solar facilities.

Contacts

Chevron Mining Inc.
Questa Mine
Margaret Lejuste, 720-544-1378
mlejuste@chevron.com
or
Chevron Technology Ventures
Kim Copelin, 713-825-2074
kcopelin@chevron.com