MCE continues to expand its local renewable energy portfolio with two new solar projects placed online in June in Contra Costa and Napa counties.
The 1-MW Byron Hot Springs Solar project in unincorporated Contra Costa County has a 20-year term with Renewable Properties, a commercial solar energy developer. Located on top of a storage facility, Napa Self Storage 2 will supply 650 kW of solar power over its 20-year term with Shorebreak Energy Developers. Both projects were constructed with prevailing wage labor, with 50% of labor hours coming from within MCE’s service area.
“Projects like these are helping us secure a carbon-free future,” said Shanelle Scales-Preston, Mayor of the City of Pittsburg, California, and chair of MCE’s Board of Directors. “To meet California’s 2045 goal of 100% renewable, carbon-free energy, while electrifying our economy, our state will need to roughly triple our supply. All renewable projects — including rooftop, community solar and utility-scale projects — are necessary. We need all of the above to meet our growing needs.”
To help incentivize local renewable projects, MCE purchases electricity at an above-market rate through its Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program. The FIT program is crucial to expanding local renewable energy projects that provide quality jobs with family-sustaining wages. These two projects increase MCE’s total FIT projects to 18.
“Since our company’s inception, Renewable Properties has collaborated with MCE on providing renewable energy to MCE’s residents, and we take great pride in completing the 1-MW Byron Hot Springs solar project, as part of our 19-MW MCE portfolio,” said Aaron Halimi, founder and president of Renewable Properties. “We look forward to continuing our strong partnership.”
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