First Solar, Inc. announced a contract with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to build a large-scale solar power project in Imperial County, Calif. The installation will have a generation capacity of 55 megawatts (MW).

First Solar will design, engineer and construct the 55MW Niland project using its advanced thin film solar modules. Construction is expected to begin next year and be completed in 2011. The contract is conditioned on approval by the Los Angeles City Council and the mayor of Los Angeles. The solar arrays will require building permits from Imperial County.