Solar, Sourcing Renewables  -  April 22, 2021

San Luis Obispo Celebrates Clean Energy Future

The County of San Luis Obispo celebrated the completion of a 1.2 megawatt-DC (MWdc) solar energy project at the County Operations Center on April 20. The project includes a total of 3,294 solar modules ground-mounted on 6 acres of land. The system aggregates electric meters from a total of 12 County facilities.

Through a PPA with ForeFront Power, the County will purchase the electricity generated by the County Operations Center at a set price per kilowatt-hour, providing the County with a lower rate than it would obtain from the local utility. ForeFront Power developed and financed the project, and will own and operate it as well. The County incurred no upfront costs, nor will it do so for ongoing costs related to project installation.

"This project is a significant step forward to reaching our County goal of procuring 20 percent of our energy from renewable sources," said Annie Secrest, Energy and Water Coordinator for the County of San Luis Obispo, in a statement. "With this project energized, the County now derives over 12 percent of its energy from solar power. This helps us mitigate increasing electricity rates and better control our operating expenses." 

San Luis Obispo County expects to yield an estimated $6 million in net savings over the next 20 years from the project, which will reduce operating expenses and allow it to provide critical services to the community. The project will also contribute to the County’s renewable energy procurement goals.