California's Largest Utility Scale PV Solar Farm Gets Final CPUC Approval
Important Step in PV Solar's Inevitable March to Grid Parity Pricing
San Francisco - CalRENEW-1, the largest utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar facility being developed under California's Renewables Portfolio Standard program, has received formal approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The 5 megawatts of emissions-free peaking power generated from CalRENEW-1, to be located in the City of Mendota, will be sold to Pacific Gas & Electric under a long-term power purchase agreement. The landmark project is being developed by San Francisco-based Cleantech America, Inc.
"Utility-scale PV solar in California has just transitioned from hopeful concept to reality!" said Bill Barnes, CEO of Cleantech America Inc. "With the end of the CPUC 30 day comment period, we now have a formally approved long-term contract with PG&E and the green light to move ahead with equipment procurement and project financing. Equally important, we are beginning to realize the forecast pricing leverage that results from utility-size economies of scale. This greatly enhances photovoltaic solar as a competitive, near-term, large scale response to global warming and energy independence."
Scheduled to begin operation in the spring of 2009, CalRENEW-1 will be one of the most advanced photovoltaic solar facilities in the world. It will utilize a variety of exciting photovoltaic technologies, while generating greenhouse gas-free peak electricity to help California meet its stringent renewable energy and carbon reduction goals.
PV solar technologies provide benefits in three key areas: the environment, energy security and economic development, including the creation of vital green collar jobs. PV solar farms are highly reliable, help energy providers manage uncertainty and mitigate risk, and equip energy providers to meet rigorous demand and capacity challenges. With their modular nature, these large-scale solar farms can be developed incrementally to match growth in demand.
CalRENEW-1 has already attracted numerous expressions of interest from solar equipment manufacturers, research and development operations, and other related businesses to build or relocate facilities to California's San Joaquin Valley in order to be near a region of active solar and renewable development. In a program designed to stimulate jobs growth, Cleantech America Inc., has pledged $20,000 and is working with the City of Mendota to develop programs to re-train unemployed farm workers to become solar installers.
"We believe that in order to be truly sustainable, renewable energy development must provide for green collar jobs so that the economic benefits are shared by the many, not just a few," Barnes said. Van Jones, Esq., founder of the non-profit organization Green For All, calls this inclusive green wave, "Social Uplift Environmentalism." Barnes adds, "We are working to ensure that the full benefits of the Green Jobs Act of 2007, advocated so effectively by Green For All, makes it to the San Joaquin Valley, an area well known for both economic development and air quality challenges."
SOURCE: Cleantech America