City of Fresno DPU and ForeFront Power Complete Largest Commercial Solar and Battery Storage Portfolio in U.S.
The City of Fresno Department of Public Utilities (DPU) conducted a “Flip the Switch” ceremony to celebrate the completion of solar energy and smart battery storage projects at three sites: the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility, the Northeast Surface Water Treatment Facility, and the Southeast Surface Water Treatment Facility. At a combined 27 MW-DC in size, the DPU projects are expected to save over $122 million in ratepayer dollars by 2045. The crown jewel of the portfolio is the 19.6 MW system at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility, which is the largest commercial solar and battery system in the U.S. to date.
The City of Fresno DPU developed its “behind-the-meter” solar and storage portfolio in partnership with ForeFront Power, a leading developer of solar energy and battery storage assets in the U.S. and Mexico. The portfolio was constructed by local union labor from the IBEW Local 100, creating 120 local jobs in the process. Each DPU site features rows of ground-mounted solar modules fitted with single-axis tracker technology, enabling the modules to follow the sun’s movement across the sky to capture the maximum amount of abundant Central Valley sunshine. The DPU portfolio has a combined output of 47 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually, enough to power 6,000 homes.
DPU’s energy intensive facilities can now draw upon their smart battery reserves to avoid paying for grid electricity at peak times. This not only reduces local energy costs but eases the burden on California’s electrical grid. And powering DPU assets with clean, low-cost solar energy brings the added benefit of reducing carbon emissions and improving the Central Valley’s air quality. The new solar and storage portfolio will help DPU avoid over 26,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually, equivalent to taking 6,000 gas-powered passenger vehicles off local roads each year.
Developed at Zero Upfront Cost to the City
The DPU solar and storage portfolio was developed at no upfront cost to the City, and without using bond funds. Under the terms of a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the City, ForeFront Power owns and maintains the solar and storage portfolio it developed for DPU. For the next 20 years, ForeFront Power will charge DPU a fixed, below-market rate for electricity, and DPU will achieve budget certainty by avoiding utility rate increases. ForeFront Power will continue to operate and maintain the DPU solar and storage portfolio for the duration of the PPA, at no cost to DPU.
Fresno on Track to Host the Largest Multi-Campus Solar and Storage Portfolio in the U.S.
With the landmark DPU portfolio nearing completion, the City of Fresno is well on its way to reaching a national milestone: hosting the largest on-site, multi-campus solar energy and battery storage portfolio anywhere in the U.S.
- In addition to the DPU portfolio, ForeFront Power recently completed solar energy systems at several other City-owned sites: the Fresno Animal Center, Fire Station 18, and the Southeast Police Substation.
- Moving forward, ForeFront Power is busy developing additional combined solar energy and battery storage systems at the Airport’s new terminal building and the Airport Parking Garage, and a solar energy system at the FAX (Fresno Area Express) Bus Yard & Employee Lot.
Procurement Via SPURR REAP Program
The City of Fresno procured its solar energy and battery storage assets by leveraging the Renewable Energy Aggregated Procurement (“REAP”) Program. The REAP Program is managed by SPURR, a joint powers authority dedicated to helping the California public sector control and reduce utility expenses. REAP provides public sector buyers with pre-negotiated contracts, industry-leading pricing, and standardized terms. Through REAP’s integrated RFP process and PPA, the City of Fresno selected ForeFront Power to develop, finance, and construct its solar energy and energy storage portfolio.
