Iberdrola Renewables, an American company known for wind power development, is diversifying its renewable portfolio. When Iberdrola breaks ground on a 30 megawatt solar power PV facility in Alamosa County, Colo., this year, it will be one of the company’s first solar projects.

The San Luis Valley Solar Ranch is expected to get underway soon on 320 acres of formerly agricultural land near the town of Mosca.

According to Iberdrola, this particular area in the northern part of Alamosa County is said to have some of the best resources for solar power in the U.S. The project is set to be completed by year’s end, 2011.

The San Luis Valley Solar Ranch is being designed and built by SunPower of California. SunPower will install highly-efficient SunPower E19 solar panels mounted on SunPower Tracker systems that track the sun and reduce land-use requirements by generating 25 percent more energy per land area than conventional systems.

The entire 30 MW output of San Luis Valley Solar Ranch has been sold to Xcel Energy. The partnership with Xcel will mark the sixth time Iberdrola has partnered with Xcel Energy, bringing a total of 400 megawatts of clean energy to utility customers.

“It is a unique pleasure to enter into the solar power business, and once again partner with the Xcel Energy family of companies, whose vision for clean energy is helping drive new renewable technologies in many parts of the country,” said Martin Mugica, executive vice president for Iberdrola Renewables, in a press release. “Tapping into limitless, homegrown sources of power is how Iberdrola Renewables will continue to grow, and meet the needs of its customers.”

Though it’s one of the company’s first solar projects, Iberdrola has developed over 40 wind farms in 17 states—two of which are in Colorado—and is confident its past experience with wind power development will propel the company into future success in the solar industry.

“We look at renewable projects of all different technologies and if they are a great fit for us in terms of sustainability and performance, we’ll consider it,” said Communications Manager for Iberdrola Renewables, Paul Copleman. “Our successful track record in wind power development has prepared us for success in solar.”

Pictured: One of SunPower's Florida solar farms.