Phoenix-based Stirling Energy Systems (SES) has launched its new solar development company, Tessera Solar.

The team will be led by Robert Lukefahr, CEO of Tessera Solar North America. The division will be based in Houston.

Tessera Solar North America will oversee completion of two projects commenced by SES Inc. with California utilities San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison. It is also building a pipeline of additional domestic projects, with the goal of developing 1,000 MW of new solar plants by the end of 2011.

It will also have exclusive responsibility for the global deployment of SES Inc’s. SunCatcher solar dish stirling system. Manufacturing of this CSP system at production volumes will commence next year.

London-based Tessera Solar International, being led by CEO Trevor Nash, is developing projects in southern Europe, Asia, MENA and Latin America, with initial deployments slated for 2010.

In April last year, Irish company NTR plc had invested US$100 million for a controlling stake in SES.

Read more: SES, solar dish stirling, Southern California Edison