MetLife and John Hancock Financial Services will finance the construction and third-party ownership of a 19 MW (AC) PV power plant that SunPower is contracted to build for Xcel Energy in Colorado's Alamosa County. Construction on the plant, which will be the largest solar power plant in Colorado, will begin this spring, with operations expected to commence before the end of the year. Approximately 100 jobs will be created during construction.

The plant will use SunPower T20 Tracker systems, which tilt toward the sun as it moves across the sky, increasing energy capture and providing more power on hot summer days when utilities need it most. SunPower Trackers generate up to 30% more energy per land area than conventional systems and, therefore, reduce land-use requirements.

CP Energy Group served as an advisor to MetLife on the transaction.

[source: MetLife]