Santa Clara County is poised to become the eighth largest onsite power generator in the United States with the approval of six new sites for solar power systems, including one at Holden Ranch in Morgan Hill.
The Board of Supervisors approved a resolution at the April 7 meeting for five energy service contracts with Northstar LLC, part of the Sunpower Corporation, which will start “providing solar photovoltaic systems at five project sites for a 25-year term from April 7, 2015 through May 30, 2042.”
The 1-acre Holden Ranch location is expected to generate $2,301,633 of a combined $33,974,138 among the five county-owned locations in 25-year net energy savings, according to county report. Along with a separate solar farm on a 6-acre plot at San Martin Airport, which was approved March 24, the savings would increase by $2,827,478.
Board President Dave Cortese first called for the county to explore renewable energy options in 2009, with the goal of receiving enough revenue from renewable energy to offset the cost of the county’s $20 million annual electricity bill. The six sites could save $20 million in energy costs the first year, according to the county report.
“This is a wise use of county land and a great savings for our taxpayers,” Cortese said. “This project will also create jobs and, most importantly, reduce greenhouse emissions.”
The six installations are projected to add 11.4 megawatts to the electric grid and increase county’s renewable energy use from 32 percent to 49 percent, according to the county report. A megawatt is enough energy to power 750 homes.
Along with sites at Holden Ranch in Morgan Hill and San Martin Airport in San Martin, the others are Malech Road, Guadalupe Parkway and Hellyer Park Landfill, all in South San Jose, as well as Reid Hillview Airport in East San Jose.
