Solar Photovoltaic Energy Generation

Solar panels
See photo gallery, here.
Several state agencies have installed solar power using Power Purchase Agreements (PPA). Under the PPAs, the solar service providers finance, build and operate the solar photovoltaic (pv) systems, while the customers—in this case, government agencies and colleges—pay only for the electricity at prices equal to or less than utility tariff rates. 

Phase I solar pv effort (2004-2008) completed eight projects totaling 4.5 megawatts (MW) online at various state facilities owned by the Departments of Corrections & Rehabilitation, Mental Health, Caltrans, and California State University. More than 40,000,000 kilowatthours were generated to date.  These projects annually generate an estimated 7 million kilowatthours of renewable electricity for use by their host facilities.

The Phase II solar pv effort (2008-2012) resulted in the award of eight projects at Departments of Corrections & Rehabilitation and Mental Health facilities totaling 18.3 MW.  Seven projects totaling 17 MW of generation are currently in operation, and the remaining 1.3 MW are expected to be operational by 2nd Qtr. 2013. Once all of these systems are operational, they are expected to annually provide nearly 41 million kilowatthours of renewable electricity to their host facilities. 

The Phase III solar pv effort (2011-2013) resulted in the award of 14 solar pv projects at state facilities (Corrections & Rehabilitation, Mental Health), totaling 28.5 MW.  After further site review, only 11 projects remain viable to pursue at this time.  If these 11 projects are built as proposed, they would total nearly 22 MW and annually provide over 47 million kilowatthours of renewable electricity to their host facilities.  These projects are expected to be completed by the end of 4th Qtr. 2013

The Phase IV solar pv effort is underway. The Department of General Services (DGS) released a Request For Qualifications and has 13 developers in its qualified pool of solar service providers. The qualified pool of developers installs pv systems using third-party financing at no cost to the state and sells the renewable electricity generated by the pv systems at a competitive cost to the host facility.  DGS will be releasing Request for Offers for solar pv roof, canopy, and ground projects to be located at various facilities throughout the state. (Revised 4-8-2013)

Featured PPA Projects:



Videos:

  • California Prisons Go Green (CDCR Video) October 2008
  • Ironwood State Prison Plugs-in to Solar Power  (CDCR Video) May 2008