California Valley solar plant installs final panels
California Valley solar plant installs final panels
At the end of June the California Valley Solar Ranch installed the projects final solar panels, the company reports. In the coming months, the new solar plant in the Carissa Plains will be fully commissioned and generating enough power for approximately 100,000 homes in Pacific Gas and Electric’s territory.
“The California Valley community has been a great neighbor, and we’re grateful for your support during construction of this important project—one of the world’s largest solar photovoltaic power plants,” the company said on its website.
The 250-megawatt California Valley Solar Ranch (CVSR) in eastern San Luis Obispo County, will be generating clean, reliable solar power for transmission over PG&E’s utility grid. CVSR is helping California achieve its goal of generating 33% of its energy from renewables by 2020.
The SunPower® Tracker technology installed on the site is quiet, requires no fuel and needs minimal water. It will generate enough emission-free energy to power the equivalent of 100,000 average homes—or the equivalent of nearly every home in San Luis Obispo County. CVSR created more than 350 construction jobs and continues to provide a much needed economic boost to the regional economy, totaling about $315 million during construction and over the next 25 years of operations.
Economic Benefits
- $315 million injected into local San Luis Obispo economy during construction and operations.
- $10 million in total tax revenues.
- 350 construction jobs created during construction.
Environmental Benefits
- About 70% of the site–3,200 acres is permanently conserved and managed to meet conservation objectives for a range of species.
- More than 12,000 acres is preserved in perpetuity, contributing to a larger conservation and connectivity strategy for the Carrizo Plain.
- Replaces production of up to 333,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
- Designed to minimize annual water use and includes a water recycling plan.
- Incorporates a fencing and alternate wildlife corridor designed to minimize visual impact, grading and species impact.
Comments
