PROJECT OVERVIEW

---

Located on the northwestern corner of the Carrisa Plains, the 550 megawatt Topaz Solar Farm will produce sufficient electricity to power 160,000 average California homes. The Topaz location was selected after an extensive review of potential sites in California which considered the available solar resource, proximity to existing electrical transmission lines, current land uses, and environmental sensitivities .

Economic benefits include an estimated $417 million in positive impacts, including property and sales tax revenues for the County, wages from direct and indirect employment, induced spending and supply chain revenues.

Community Commitment

First Solar is committed to being a good neighbor, working with the community to address issues through open communication. Topaz is sited on largely non-prime, actively tilled agricultural land that has limited productivity. At the northwestern edge of the Carrisa Plains, Topaz is more than six miles from the more sensitive habitats in the Carrizo Plain National Monument. We work to meet the community’s needs by supporting local events and initiatives, offering educational benefits for local schools and universities, and providing information on the Topaz Solar Farm and the benefits of solar energy.

Apply for a Job

Individuals seeking employment on the Topaz Solar Farm should complete this form.
Job Application

Project Timeline

• Planning

  April 2008
  Topaz proposed by Optisolar

  August 2008
  Power Purchase Agreement with PG&E

• Permitting

  July 2009
  Revised Conditional Use Permit application submitted

  2010
  Environmental Impact Report (EIR) finalized and certified

• Construction

  2011
  Start construction

• Operation

  2014
  Estimated project operation