Ameresco completed construction on a 5.3-MW direct current ground-mount solar energy system at San Joaquin County, California’s Foothill Landfill. This is Ameresco’s second renewable energy project with the County and will help reduce their utility costs through California’s Renewable Energy Self-Generation Bill Credit Transfer program.
“San Joaquin County, and it’s local communities, have long prioritized the development of renewable energy resources, both for reducing emissions and supplementing existing electricity generation,” said Kathy Miller, Chair of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors. “In addition to its environmental impact, the solar energy system will provide further utility cost savings to our region, which will directly benefit residents and local governments’ ability to better serve its constituents.”
Project details. San Joaquin County partnered with Ameresco to develop, own and operate a ground-mount solar photovoltaic system at the Foothill Landfill in Linden, California. Funded by a power purchase agreement, Ameresco installed 13,770 solar modules rated at 385W-direct current each, as well as 29 solar inverters rated at 125 kilowatt-alternating current each. Under a separate agreement with San Joaquin County, Ameresco constructed a 4.3 megawatt landfill gas to energy plant at the same landfill in 2014.
The solar energy system will generate approximately 10,473,000 kilowatt hours of electricity in year one. This equates to a reduction of 7,405 tons of CO2 emissions or 854 homes’ energy use for one year. In addition to the significant electrical savings, the County will also receive a $500,000 upfront lease payment for the use of the land, infusing revenue into the County from day one.
“Thanks to a previous project implemented at the site in partnership with Ameresco, we knew there was a similar opportunity to do something productive with the site,” said San Joaquin County Supervisor, Chuck Winn. “When Ameresco approached us about the potential use of the undeveloped land for solar arrays, it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. This is a long-term partnership and the resulting project will provide a great benefit to the County and our residents.”
“Our continued work with San Joaquin County demonstrates that there are always additional ways to make a community more sustainable and energy-secure,” said Bob Georgeoff, Vice President of Ameresco. “We look forward to seeing this project deliver environmental benefits while also generating substantial financial savings for San Joaquin County.”
Construction of the San Joaquin County solar project was recently completed. Ameresco continues to work with multiple parties involved in its development, including Sage Energy Consulting, PG&E, the San Joaquin Council of Governments, the Linden Fire Department, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California State Water Resources Control Board, The California Environmental Quality Act and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
— Solar Builder magazine
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