Renewable America Connects 2.9-MW Community Solar Project in Agricultural Region of California
Distributed energy and microgrid developer Renewable America started commercial operations at its West Tambo Clean Power II (WEST-II) solar farm in California.
The 8.5-acre, 2.93-MW solar project in Livingston is situated in a community designated as both disadvantaged and low-income. The project will provide clean, renewable energy to San Jose, California and will generate enough electricity to power 800 homes annually, offsetting approximately 48,000 tons of CO2 emissions over its lifetime.
"The WEST-II site combines environmentally Disadvantaged and Low-Income Communities in one project, creating a powerful cycle of shared benefits—jobs, cleaner air, and economic growth for one, while delivering affordable renewable power to the other," said Ardi Arian, President & CEO of Renewable America. "We also celebrate several important milestones with this development, such as a promising new collaboration with San Jose Clean Energy, a successful union labor contract, and expanded access to solar for underrepresented populations."
The WEST-II project was awarded a 20% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) under the U.S. Department of Energy's Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program for selling its electricity to low-income households. The Livingston area is an agricultural region in the San Joaquin Valley which is primarily Hispanic or Latino, according to census figures.
Renewable America developed WEST-II with in-house resources, including parcel scouting, lease negotiations, engineering, permitting, design, and origination. The project, with a licensed C-10 and general B construction arm self-performing a significant portion of the work, was built with greater efficiency, quality control, and coordination across all phases of development and construction.
