PROJECT SUMMARY
In September 2011, the Department of Energy issued a $1.2 billion loan guarantee to finance California Valley Solar Ranch, a 250-MW photovoltaic (PV) solar generation project. The project reached full commercial operations in October 2013.
TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION
California Valley Solar Ranch is the first utility-scale PV project in the United States to utilize T-0 single axis trackers in combination with the wireless tracker monitoring and control system (TMAC). The trackers and TMAC will improve annual output by approximately 25%, compared to traditional fixed installations.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
California Valley Solar Ranch produced 350 construction jobs and is expected to support 11 permanent jobs. Furthermore, California Valley Solar Ranch will generate $10 million in tax revenues and inject $315 million into the local San Luis Obispo economy throughout construction and operations.
CLIMATE BENEFIT
California Valley Solar Ranch will generate approximately 650,000 megawatt-hours of clean energy per year. It will prevent 370,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
| PROJECT SUMMARY | Owners | Global Infrastructure Partners |
|---|---|---|
| Location | San Luis Obispo, California | |
| FINANCIAL SUMMARY | Loan Program | Title XVII |
| Loan Type | Loan Guarantee | |
| Loan Amount 1 | $1.2 Billion | |
| Issuance Date | September 2011 | |
| ENERGY SUMMARY | Operation Status | Operating |
| Generation Capacity | 250 MW | |
| Projected Annual Generation 2 | 650,000 MWh | |
| ECONOMIC IMPACT | Permanent U.S. Jobs Supported | 11 |
| U.S. Construction Jobs Supported 3 | 350 | |
| CLIMATE BENEFIT | CO2 Emissions Prevented Annually | 370,000 Metric Tons |
| NOTES | All information up-to-date as of November 2018 1 Approximate amount of the loan facility approved at closing including principal and any capitalized interest. 2 Calculated using the project's and NREL Technology specific capacity factors. For cases in which NREL's capacity factors do not encompass project's specific design and operation, project specific capacity factors are used. 3 Estimated at the time of closing. | |
PROJECT PHOTOS
