- What is the California Valley Solar Ranch?
- What is the land currently being used for?
- Why do we need to do a large, utility-scale solar projects?
- What kind of technology will be used to generate the solar energy at CVSR?
- Who will buy the power generated at CVSR? Where does the solar energy go?
- At what point in the development process is CVSR?
- Will CVSR generate economic benefits for the County, or create jobs?
- What is SunPower doing to protect the natural resources where California Valley Solar Ranch will be located?
- Wouldn’t it be better to rely on distributed rooftop solar rather than build a solar power plant?
- When I hike or drive around the area will I get glare from the panels in my eyes?
- How will the technology used at the California Valley Solar Ranch differ from the other solar plant that is planned in the area?
- Is there a SunPower installation nearby that I can see?
What is the California Valley Solar Ranch?
The California Valley Solar Ranch is a 250-megawatt photovoltaic solar power installation, located in San Luis Obispo County’s California Valley, that will use high-efficiency SunPower solar technology to generate enough power for more than 100,000 homes -- practically every household in San Luis Obispo County. The Ranch will be designed and constructed by SunPower, a California-based leader in solar technology, and is expected to begin generating power in 2011.
CVSR will be located on 4365 acres of land in the California Valley, but only about 1966 acres will be used for the solar arrays. The rest of the land will be preserved as dedicated open space.
This significant solar power project will generate direct and ancillary economic benefits for the County, including a substantial increase in property and sales tax revenues and more than 350 construction jobs.
CVSR will also further enhance San Luis Obispo County’s reputation as a sustainability leader.
What is the land currently being used for?
California Valley Solar Ranch is located on privately-owned former ranch land, unsuitable for agriculture.
Why do we need to do a large, utility-scale solar projects?
Utility-scale solar will help us to more quickly and effectively meet our growing energy demand while reducing our dependence on foreign sources of energy. It will help California meet its renewable energy mandates, improving air quality.
What kind of technology will be used to generate the solar energy at CVSR?
SunPower panels, the most efficient solar panels on the market today, will be installed on SunPower T0 Trackers, which use GPS to track the sun during the day, maximizing energy capture and minimizing land use requirements.
Who will buy the power generated at CVSR? Where does the solar energy go?
PG&E will purchase all of the power generated by CVSR. The power will be fed directly into PG&E’s utility grid through existing power lines, and will be used in San Luis Obispo County and other counties in PG&E’s service area.
At what point in the development process is CVSR?
Development of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is underway, during which the public has an opportunity to submit comments. The County Board of Supervisors is expected to vote on permitting the project early next year, after which construction will begin. CVSR is likely to begin generating power by the end of 2011.
Will CVSR generate economic benefits for the County, or create jobs?
Yes, CVSR will generate direct and ancillary economic benefits for the County, including significant increases in property taxes and up to $7 million in sales tax. More than 350 local jobs will be created during construction.
What is SunPower doing to protect the natural resources where California Valley Solar Ranch will be located?
California Valley Solar Ranch will be located on a former ranch that hasn't been commercially farmed in 30 years. Fifty-five percent of the site will be preserved as dedicated open space. The technology SunPower is using has very low impact on the environment. It works with the topography, requires minimum grading, is very quiet, and requires no fuel and only minimal water for cleaning.
Working with overseeing agencies and the community, SunPower has facilitated the completion of 11 biological studies to date and has taken steps to further mitigate impact, including:
- Creation of an alternate transmission corridor to reduce visual impact and grading
- Redesigned fencing to minimize visual impacts and allow animals to easily pass through
- Creation of ‘habitat corridors’ that provide animals opportunity to use existing feeding and migration pathways
- SunPower Trackers have been re-designed to be more wildlife compatible
- Commuter incentive program for the on-site employees
- Use of on-site existing surface gravel pit to reduce traffic
- Reduced water use by 20 percent per year, and water will be recycled
Wouldn’t it be better to rely on distributed rooftop solar rather than build a solar power plant?
At current rates of rooftop solar installation, it will take 57 years to get 10 percent of all homes in San Luis Obispo County powered by solar. Utility scale solar accelerates our energy independence, addresses global warming more quickly than rooftop solar, and brings down the price of rooftop solar for everyone.
The solar power produced by the California Valley Solar Ranch will displace the need to draw power form carbon-emitting natural gas peaker plants, which are much more expensive to build (both financially and environmentally) than this project.
SunPower is the leading distributor of home solar systems in the US, and a huge supporter of rooftop generation. But, to effectively meet our growing energy demand in an environmentally responsible way, we need to rely on all types of renewable energy sources produced in a variety of ways.
When I hike or drive around the area will I get glare from the panels in my eyes?
No. SunPower panels have an anti-reflective surface, which both increases efficiency and prevents glare. The panels are designed to absorb light (not reflect it) which increases efficiency.
How will the technology used at the California Valley Solar Ranch differ from the other solar plant that is planned in the area?
SunPower manufactures the most efficient solar panels available on the market. SunPower silicon-based solar panels are 50 percent more efficient than conventional solar panels and two to four times more efficient than thin-film solar technology. At the California Valley Solar Ranch, SunPower panels mounted on a SunPower Tracker will track the sun during the day to increase energy capture by up to 30% over fixed-tilt technology.
The other solar plant in the area will use thin-film solar technology mounted on a fixed tilt array.
Is there a SunPower installation nearby that I can see?
Aside from residential installations in the area, you will find a rooftop SunPower at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, and a 539-kilowatt T0 Tracker system at Tolosa Winery in San Luis Obispo. Visitors are encouraged at both!
For more information, please call Claire Hodgkins, the local SunPower/California Valley Solar Ranch project liaison at (916) 396-1634 or via email. We have a mailing list (both regular mail and email) and will be happy to send you information.
