Chevron adds solar power to area mine

SANTA FE, N.M., Feb. 24 (UPI) -- The installation of a solar power facility is part of a five-year goal of emerging as a regional leader in green energy, said local officials in New Mexico.

Malaquias Rael, the mayor of Questa, N.M., joined New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to announce plans for a 1-megawatt concentrating photovoltaic solar facility at a molybdenum mine.

"Five years ago, the village of Questa developed a vision that it could become a leader in solar generation and production," the mayor said. "This is the first step and we hope others will come to work together to fulfill the full dimension of that vision."

Chevron Technology Ventures and Chevron Mining Inc. will build the photovoltaic solar facility on the tailing site of a molybdenum mine in Questa. Electricity from the project will be sold to regional utility companies.

The site includes roughly 175 solar panels situated on a 20-acre site at the molybdenum mine. Chevron said it would install solar panel technology that uses lenses to focus sunlight onto photovoltaic cells.

"We are pleased to move forward with this project that will make use of Questa's outstanding solar resource and help provide renewable energy to the community," said CMI President Fred Nelson.

The project will completed by the end of the year.