PHOTON HARVESTING A rendering of the planned 3 megawatt solar installation. Via Renewable America, LLC
HUMBOLDT – The Humboldt County Planning dept. held an informational meeting on the proposed 3 megawatt solar installation on the Arcata Bottom. Renewable America, LLC has applied for a Conditional Use Permit for the proposed construction and operation of a two phased community-scale solar energy and storage project called Foster Clean Power A and Foster Clean Power B.
According to a project summary, Phase 1 involves the construction of a 3-megawatt alternating current (MWac), photovoltaic (PV) solar energy facility with associated inverters, fencing, and access road. The equipment pad would measure about 50 by 100 feet. Phase 1 would also include a 1.25-MW battery energy storage system. The project footprint would be about 12 acres.
Phase 2 would see construction of an additional 4-MWac PV solar energy facility immediately north of the Phase I site with an additional 3.75-MW battery energy storage system. The project footprint for Phase 2 would be about 18 acres.
SITE The two-phase project is planned for this area near off Foster Avenue. Via Renewable America, LLC
The project is located directly northwest of the intersection of Foster Avenue and Janes Road, on property owned by Lane DeVries of Sun Valley Floral Farm. Under CEQA, an Initial Study (IS) and Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) is being prepared for the project.
During the meeting, project proponents said it meets several of Humboldt’s energy goals, including helping to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, creation of decentralized and “dispatchable” (able to adjust power output supplied to the electrical grid on demand) and as a buffer during Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
Construction is expected to take four months for each phase, which will be spaced two years apart. Up to 50 workers will work on the project during construction, with up to 50 truck trips to the site daily.
Various measures are planned to reduce environmental impact, including minimal ground disturbance with no use of concrete for the PV panels, limited use of water, implementation of a Pollinator Habitat Program (with beehives) and creation of a decommissioning plan following the project’s estimated 35-year lifespan.
The panels themselves are made of purified crystalline silicon and are free of toxic chemicals. The panels will rotate to follow the sun for maximum exposure and power generation.
Renewable America, LLC manages about 30 projects across California. Questions about the project may be directed to Rodney Yandell, Senior Planner, at (707) 445-7541 or ryandell@co.humboldt.ca.us.