IID approves Community Solar Project
With the intent to offer access to renewable energy to all of its ratepayers, the Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors voted Tuesday to approve the agency’s first-ever Community Solar Project.
The power for such program will use half of the 60-megawatt utility scale solar project developed by Regenerate Power.
IID’s community solar program, eGreen will serve Residential Energy Assistance Program participants as well as other IID energy customers who would like to receive the benefits of solar without the need for an individual rooftop system.
IID officials expect the project will make solar power available for up to 15,000 customers. IID currently has more than 14,000 customers who benefit from the district’s energy assistance program who potentially will qualify for the eGreen program.
“Our goal is to provide all of our customers with an opportunity to support and benefit from clean, renewable, locally produced energy,” said Vicken Kasarjian IID’s energy manager in a statement. “There can be many barriers to developing a solar project on your own—eGreen will make renewable energy obtainable for everyone.”
The agreement with Regenerate Power is for 20 years agreement with Regenerate Power. The levelized cost of the generation is $29.72 and the guaranteed commercial date to be online is June 30.
The annual financial impact for the IID is estimated to be $2.5 million.
General Manager Kevin Kelley told the board a proposal as to how the IID will manage the eGreen Program will come to the board in the near future.
“This will be the first community scale solar project in which the first 30 megawatts is reserved for the District’s low-income customers,” Kelley said, “(The program) continues a tradition of this board in innovating on behalf of its ratepayers.”
The board approved the program with a 3-0 vote. Director Bruce Kuhn abstained and Director Erik Ortega was not present.
Dues
The Board also approved on Tuesday funding requests from the Salton Sea Authority, the Colorado River Board of California and the Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation.
The total amount approved between all three exceeds $800,000.
IID approved the $150,000 request as part of its annual support to the Salton Sea Authority, 618,125 in annual dues to the Colorado River Board of California and also an additional $75,000 annual request from IVEDC.