Hanwha plans to complete the development, design, and construction of the solar project in an expedited fashion.

IRVINE, Calif.--Hanwha Q CELLS USA ("Hanwha") today announced the signing of a 25-year power purchase agreement ("PPA") between Hanwha and Austin Energy ("Austin"), an electric utility serving more than 1 million residents in the Greater Austin area.

Hanwha is developing this 170 MW utility-scale solar power plant with the close collaboration of local landowners on privately held land in Pecos County, Texas.

"Were very pleased to be partnering with Hanwha to bring more clean solar energy to our customers," said Larry Weis, General Manager of Austin Energy. "This action moves us closer to the City of Austins goal of 55 percent renewable energy production by 2025."

The site is in the vicinity of several other large solar farms in development given the abundant solar resource in the area and the general local community acceptance. With robust wind generation currently in operation and installed along the mesas surrounding Pecos County, the solar resource is complementary to the wind resource that blows mainly at night. The new solar project is part of ERCOT's nearly 10,000 MW that have filed for interconnection.

"Were very excited by the opportunity to work with Austin Energy and support their goal of adding significant solar energy to their generation portfolio," said Laurence Greene, Chief Development Officer of Hanwha Q CELLS USA. "The solar facility will be a state-of-the-art generation resource using high-performing and efficient technology that will transform the underutilized site into an environmentally sustainable source of power to the local community."

Hanwha plans to complete the development, design, and construction of the solar project in an expedited fashion.

About Hanwha Q CELLS USA
Hanwha Q CELLS USA designs, builds and manages financially sustainable solar photovoltaic (PV) solutions. The company brings a decade of global leadership in solar PV to North America, combining best-of-world technology, processes and partnerships to deliver utility-grade solar PV solutions customized for local energy markets. Hanwha Q CELLS USA offers the full spectrum of PV solutions including power plant development, engineering design, construction, project finance, operations and maintenance. With proven capabilities across the solar value chain, Hanwha Q CELLS USA minimizes uncertainty and risk, and helps customers achieve a higher return on their investment in solar energy. Hanwha Q CELLS USA is an affiliate of Hanwha Group, Fortune Global 500 Company. To learn more about our headquarter capabilities in solar; please visit our group page at http://www.hanwha.com/en/products_and_services/solar_energy.html.

About Austin Energy
Austin Energy, the City of Austins electric utility, serves more than 440,000 customer accounts and more than 1 million residents in Greater Austin. The utilitys mission — to deliver clean, affordable and reliable energy along with excellent customer service — has guided Austin Energy in powering the community and supporting the regions growth since 1895. By producing and investing in wind and solar power, Austin Energys electricity is twice as renewable as the rest of Texas. For more information about Austin Energy, visit www.austinenergy.com or call 512-322-6514.