By KRWG News
Las Cruces – California and New Mexico companies are planning to build a $130 million, 22-megawatt photovoltaic solar plant near Elephant Butte.
The plans by San Francisco-based BP Solar and EnergyNovo of Elephant Butte were announced Monday.
They say the plant could be in operation by next year, employing 50 to 100 people.
Officials say the 160-acre site will be BP Solar's first New Mexico plant.
The companies hope to serve Spaceport America and other commercial and residential areas.
The announcement by Democratic U.S. Rep. Harry Teague and officials from BP Solar and EnergyNovo came at the Re-Energize New Mexico Conference at New Mexico State University.
The conference is bringing together alternative energy producers and researchers.
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Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.