A new solar and battery storage project on 75 acres near an electrical substation in Sonoma County will boost Mendocino and Sonoma counties’ supply of local renewable electricity upon expected completion in mid-2024.
The 11.6-megawatt project, contracted by Sonoma Clean Power in a power purchase agreement with San Diego-based renewable energy developer Luminia, includes solar photovoltaic panels and 32 megawatt-hours of lithium-ion battery storage that can distribute solar power across the grid during peak evening hours.
“With this solar and storage project, we can provide renewable energy on-demand, regardless of the time of day, and promote 100 percent carbon-free energy generated locally,” said Deb Emerson, managing director of procurement for Sonoma Clean Power.
Electricity from the project is earmarked for the public power provider’s EverGreen customers throughout Mendocino and Sonoma counties. More than 3,800 of Sonoma Clean Power‘s customers pay a slight premium for EverGreen electricity produced by 100% local renewable energy, and demand is increasing.
Mendocino County supervisors voted unanimously last Aug. 3 to switch electricity service for its eligible buildings to EverGreen as part of its Carbon-Free Mendocino County resolution.
Emerson said EverGreen is the only electric generation service in California that is truly renewable 24/7. EverGreen electricity comes from solar and geothermal power generated locally in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.