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Ventura, CA – The County of Ventura General Services Agency in partnership with Ventura Solar, LLC brought a new off-site solar panel array installation, located in Fillmore, online in September. Slated to provide 3 megawatts of electricity for County facilities at a reduced rate, the solar array is located at 67 E. Telegraph Road, Fillmore, at a former superfund site that was repurposed into the current 3-MW solar photovoltaic system, consisting of more than 11,000 solar panels and estimated to reduce more than 2,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, or a 5% reduction, annually, from the County’s operations. This equates to an estimated annual savings of $100k, or a total estimated savings between $3.9 and $5.4 million over the life of the 25-year agreement with Ventura Solar.
“This project is an excellent example of the County’s commitment to environmental sustainability and also the creative solutions that are possible when government partners with private industry,” said David Sasek, Director of the County of Ventura General Services Agency. “GSA worked closely with Ventura Solar, LLC to develop this 3MW solar field which didn’t require any investment on the part of the county but will save the County approximately $100,000 per year on our electric bills while providing significant portion of our electricity in the form of clean solar power.”
The project was initially formed under the Southern California Edison Renewable Energy Self-Generation Bill Credit Transfer (RES-BCT), a program that allows local governments to generate renewable energy from one generating account for bill credits that are applied to benefitting accounts. The installation was completed without incurring any capital costs to the County, carries a 7-year minimum commitment, and allows for an additional 5-year extension at the end of the 25-year contract.
“Bringing this project online is consistent with a number of the County’s goals including those in the General Plan that call for the County to be a regional leader in energy efficiency, minimize energy consumption, and promote the development and use of renewable energy resources,” said Alejandra Téllez, Sustainability Officer, County of Ventura Sustainability Division.
The long-term owner of the project has recently transferred from Ventura Solar to Ecopower, and the County of Ventura GSA looks forward to an exciting partnership with the Ecopower group. The system officially reached its commercial operation date on September 14, 2021 and is now drawing power. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony will be scheduled for early in 2022.
For more information, please contact David J. Sasek at (805) 654-3800.
Photo credit: Solar array field at 67 E. Telegraph Road, Fillmore
