California-based non-profit electricity provider MCE continues to expand its local renewable energy portfolio with two new solar projects totaling 1.65 MW 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 0.65 MW of solar power over its 20-year term with Shorebreak Energy Developers.
“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 roof-top, 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.
“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.
The two new projects started commercial operation in June 2023 and were constructed with prevailing wage labor with 50% of labor hours coming from within MCE’s service area. The projects also increase MCE’s total FIT projects to 18. In total, MCE has nearly 48 MW of local, renewable energy across 23 projects serving just under 20,000 homes in its service area.
MCE is a not-for-profit public agency that provides electricity for more than 580,000 customer accounts and 1.5 million residents and businesses across Contra Costa, Marin, Napa and Solano counties in California. The company provides 100% renewable power at stable rates, delivering a 1,200 MW peak load.
“We are thrilled to support the growth of MCE’s energy portfolio, allowing both parties to supply renewable energy while positively impacting California’s residents, businesses, and environment,” said David Firestone, owner of Shorebreak Energy Developers.
Tags: MCE, Renewable Properties, Shorebreak Energy Developers, utility-scale
