Renewable America announced that the City of San Jose selected the first phase of its West Tambo Clean Power solar project to provide clean electricity for San Jose Clean Energy’s (SJCE) Solar Access program.
The 2.5-megawatt (DC) facility in Merced County will provide carbon-free electricity over the course of a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with SJCE. The solar power project is expected to come online in April 2023.
“Through the Solar Access program and Renewable America’s collaboration with SJCE, residents can opt into renewable energy even if they cannot put solar panels on a rooftop,” said Renewable America CEO, Ardi Arian.
SJCE launched its Solar Access program in fall 2021 to connect customers with off-site solar energy at a 20 percent discount on electric generation and delivery charges. Eligible SJCE customers are those that meet certain income qualifications and live in a disadvantaged community designated by the state.
“Our transition to a clean energy future can only be considered successful if it includes customers from all socioeconomic backgrounds,” said Lori Mitchell, Director of San Jose’s Community Energy Department, which operates SJCE.
The Renewable America team is leading project development, financing, construction, and operation of the solar energy facility.
The West Tambo Clean Power project that will serve SJCE is a part of Renewable America’s pipeline of 255 megawatts of solar energy capacity and 590 megawatt-hours of energy storage. The company works with multiple Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) like Marin Clean Energy, Redwood Coast Energy Authority, and others across California to provide local, affordable renewable energy.
The West Tambo Clean Power project will offset over 3,750 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. This is equivalent to taking more than 700 vehicles off the road for a year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.