The California Valley Solar Ranch is a 250-megawatt photovoltaic solar electric system. The energy generated will be sold under contract to Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) in order for the utility to achieve its renewable energy delivery requirement, as mandated by California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).
Major elements of the Solar Ranch project include:
- Ten solar PV arrays (groups of solar photovoltaic panels)
- Electrical equipment
- A generation tie- line
- A substation
- A switchyard and transmission line upgrade project (constructed by PG&E)
In addition, the Solar Ranch project includes a visitor center, an operation and maintenance building and a water tank to help enhance SR 58 community firefighting preparedness.
The parcels available for the project comprise an area of 4,700 acres. The proposed design confines the solar arrays, substation and facility buildings to a footprint of just 1,500 acres. The remaining 3,200 acres-about 70% of the site-will be permanently conserved and managed to meet conservation objectives for a range of species.
Solar energy will be captured and converted directly to electricity through solar PV panels attached to the SunPower T0 Tracker® system. The Tracker follows the sun’s movement during the day, increasing sunlight capture by up to 25 percent over conventional fixed-tilt systems, while significantly reducing land use requirements. The Trackers sit on low-impact metal pier foundations that are driven directly into the ground without the need for concrete foundations and requiring minimal grading. The electricity generated will connect directly into the existing Morro Bay-Midway transmission line through a proposed generation tie-line and a switchyard.
