The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has decided to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 1990 levels, and purchasing electricity generated from solar PV projects is one of its measures. SunPower has started constructing a 9.5MWac solar PV plant for DWR and expects to bring the plant into operational by the end of this year, as part of DWR’s emission reduction plan.

"Solar is cost-competitive with traditional energy sources today, and is helping fiscally responsible public agencies reduce electricity costs to better serve their constituencies," said Howard Wenger, SunPower president, business units. "We commend DWR for managing its significant energy demand by relying on abundant, renewable solar power. The high performance SunPower technology we are installing for the agency will maximize the clean, renewable solar power generated over the long term."

The project is located on DWR’s property adjacent to its Pearblossom Pumping Plant, southeast of Palmdale. SunPower will utilize its SunPower® Oasis® Power Plant system at the site. The solution is especially designed for utility-scale solar projects for rapid and cost-effective deployment as well as optimized land use.

DWR will purchase the power generated by the plant under a power purchase agreement (PPA) with SunPower. The PPA provides DWR with competitive electricity rates. DWR is retaining the renewable energy credits associated with the system.