Jan 6 2011
The proposal of SunEdison to construct a 293 kW ground mounted solar power production facility near the wastewater treatment plant of Colusa met the requirements of California environmental Quality Act.
The city council of Colusa has declared that the project will not make any impact on agricultural production, water or air quality, influence the biological resources, soil or other types of ecological resources.
SunEdison, has applied for permission to construct the turnkey solar project incorporating single-axis solar tracker mounting system over the northern side of an unused pond. The report submitted by Bryan Stice, senior planner of the council, indicates that the project will not make any notable impact on the surrounding ecology. It also mentions that the project will have the least impact over the aesthetics of the pond and will not cause carbon dioxide emissions or noise. The draft ecological report of the council was made available for the property owners within 300 feet proximity of the project for their views and no objections were raised.
According to DRI Energy, the integration partner of SunEdison in the project, on completion, the power generated from the project will be linked to the grid of the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. While SunEdison will install and operate the project, the city council will only pay for the power consumed by it without making any investment. The price of the power extended to the operation of wastewater treatment plant will be lesser than the unit price charged by PG&E. SunEdison will charge the city council at pre-fixed rates with a maximum increase of 3% per year all through the life time of the project. The project will allow the City Council to save around $40,000 on its expenses towards the power utility during the first year and will save around $1.5 million in the 20 year period of agreement. The City Council is provided with an option to buy the facility or continue with the agreement after the expiry of the 20 year period.