Solar

Renewable Properties and PG&E ink PPAs for community solar projects

Renewable Properties and PG&E ink PPAs for community solar projects
A Renewable Properties 2 MW CCA installation in Napa, CA deployed at the end of 2020. (Courtesy: Renewable Properties)

Renewable Properties, a developer and investor in small-scale utility and community solar projects, signed power purchase agreements for five projects with Pacific Gas and Electric that will serve disadvantaged communities.

Totaling nearly 30 MW, the five solar projects are part of California’s Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) and Community Solar Green Tariff (CS-GT) programs.

CS-GT, branded as “Local Green Saver” by PG&E, is designed to promote the installation of community solar projects in disadvantaged communities, as defined by CalEnviroScreen. Eligible residents who subscribe will benefit from 100% off-site solar power and receive a 20% bill credit on their PG&E bill.

GO DEEPER: Renewable Properties founder and president Aaron Halimi joined Episode 33 of the Factor This! podcast to discuss the future of community solar in California which, to date, has lagged behind other markets, despite the state’s role as a leader of the energy transition. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

The five projects will fulfill the remaining capacity of PG&E’s Disadvantaged Communities Green Tariff program. Together, they will generate enough energy to power over 5,345 homes.

The first three projects, East Cleveland Solar and Avenue 26 Solar Phase I and Phase II, will start construction this spring and are expected to be completed by the end of 2023. The East Cleveland Solar project will be built in Merced County, California, while Avenue 26 Solar Phase I and II will be built in Madera County, CA.

Starting construction in late 2023, the 7 MW Althea Avenue Solar project will be built in the County of Fresno, CA. The project is expected to be completed by September 2024.

Renewable Properties will also build the 7 MW Canyon Road Solar project in Merced County, CA, scheduled to commence construction in March of 2024 and be completed by the end of the year.

California is set to further expand community solar in the state with a program that is currently being developed by the California Public Utilities Commission, following the passage last year of Assembly B 2316, the Community Renewable Energy Act. The new law includes requirements that 51% of the program serves low-income customers and incentivizes incorporating energy storage with community solar projects.