Solar Farms in the California Central Coast Region
This page discusses solar farms in the central coast region.
Contents
- 1 Summary
- 2 Locations in the Central Coast Region
- 3 Environmental Impacts
- 3.1 Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
- 3.2 California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Solar Farms
- 3.3 Biological assessment of California Valley Solar Ranch in the Carrizo Plain
- 3.4 Environmental review of Topaz Farm in the Carrizo Plain
- 3.5 Environmental review of California Flats Solar Project in the Cholame Valley
- 3.6 Environmental review of Panoche Valley Solar Farm in the Carrizo Plain
- 3.7 Scenic impacts
- 4 Impacts on land usage and agriculture
- 5 Economic Impacts
- 6 References
- 7 Links
- 8 Disclaimer
Summary
Solar farms, also referred to as photovoltaic power stations or solar parks, are large-scale arrangements of solar panels designed to supply energy into the power grid. These energy sources convert solar energy into electric energy that can be transferred to consumers.
Currently, there are two large-scale solar farms in California's Central Coast Region. Two additional solar farms are in the process of being built: one in Monterey County and a second in San Benito County.
While different forms of technology are used in solar farms, the types present in the Central Coast region) are listed in Photovoltaic technology in California's Central Coast Region.
Locations in the Central Coast Region
Existing
Name | Location | Date Completed | Acres | Energy capacity | Developer | Technology | Equivalent # of homes powered |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
California Valley Solar Ranch[1] | San Luis Obispo County (Carrizo Plain) | October 2013 | 1500 | 250 MWac | SunPower | PV single axis tracking arrays[2] | 100,000 |
Topaz Solar Farm[3][4] | San Luis Obispo County (Carrizo Plain) | November 2014 | 4700 | 550 MWac | First Solar | PV arrays, fixed at 25 degree angle[5] | 160,000 |
Proposed
California Flats Solar Project
First Solar has proposed building a 2,900-acre 280 megawatt AC solar park in Monterey County's Cholame Valley. The proposed project is estimated to bring in 300 construction and 11 ongoing operational jobs into the County. Once completed, the park would generate a power output estimated to cover the energy needs of 100,000 homes per year and would displace 109,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.[6]
Apple has partnered with First Solar and has committed approximately $850 million to help build the California Flats Solar Project. The tech company stated that environmental concerns over climate change drove them to invest in green energy alternatives. Apple plans to power both Cupertino campuses and all 52 Apple stores in the state with energy from the California Flats Solar Farm.[7]
Panoche Valley Solar
Duke Energy, a large-scale developer, owner and operator of renewable energy projects across the state plans to build the Panoche Valley Solar Farm in the San Benito County's Panoche Valley. Once fully operational, the farm would generate an estimated 247 megawatts of energy.[8] The energy output would be enough to power an average of 90,000 homes a year and would displace 250,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year.[9]
Duke Energy's proposed plan also includes plans of setting aside land for mitigation purposes. In total, Duke Energy plans on using 26,000 acres for its farm. Fewer than 2,500 acres will consist of solar farms and the remainder will be used for mitigation. The plan proposes a 9:1 conservation to mitigation land use ratio.[10]
Environmental Impacts
Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Solar Farms
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) created the Renewable Energy Program to facilitate between the state's need for renewable energy and maintenance of natural resources. The Renewable Energy Program enforces compliance and grants permits related to the California Endangered Species Act (CESA)[11].
Biological assessment of California Valley Solar Ranch in the Carrizo Plain
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Loan Guarantee Program Office selected SunPower's application for due diligence review on August 27, 2010. This process made all components of the then-proposed California Valley Solar Ranch subject to NEPA Compliance. Additionally, the DOE determined that the construction and operation of the proposed California Valley Ranch could affect species listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act. The DOE requested an environmental consultation of the proposed site, which was conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under Section 7(a)(2) of the ESA.
Part of the environmental consultation involved assessing the presence of federally threatened and endangered species. The consultation revealed the presence of several species of concern[12].
SunPower worked with environmental consulting firm H.T Harvey & Associates in order to enact proper monitoring and mitigation for these species and pertinent habitat[13].
Animal species
Common name | Scientific name | Status in California |
---|---|---|
San Joaquin kit fox | Vulpes macrotis mutica | Federally endangered; state threatened |
giant kangaroo rat | Dipodomys ingens | Federally and state endangered |
giant kangaroo rat | Dipodomys ingens | Federally and state endangered |
longhorn fairy shrimp | Branchinecta longiantenna | Federally endangered |
vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp | Branchinecta lynchi | Federally endangered |
Kern Primrose sphinx moth | Euproserpinus euterpe | Federally threatened |
blunt‐nosed leopard lizard | Gambelia sila | Federally and state endangered |
California condor | Gymnogyps californianus | Federally and state endangered |
Mountain plover | Charadrius montanus | California species of concern; federally threatened candidate |
Plant species
Common name | Scientific name | Status in California |
---|---|---|
California jewel-flower | Caulanthus californicus | Federally and state endangered |
San Joaquin woollythreads | Monolopia congdonii | Federally endangered, CNPS List 1B |
Environmental review of Topaz Farm in the Carrizo Plain
On September 2, 2011, the CDFW issued a State Incidental Take Permit (2081-2011-04-04) in response to the presence of San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) in the proposed Topaz Solar Farm location. The Incidental Take Permit designated 12,147 acres of "mitigation lands" to serve as habitat for several threatened and endangered species[14].
The report notes that more species than those listed could be impacted by solar farms in the Carrizo Plain, as the region has highest concentration of threatened and endangered species in the state[15]. Both SunPower and First Solar claim to be committed to protecting biological diversity and have created conservation plants to protect habitat for these species[16].
Animal species
Common name | Scientific name |
---|---|
San Joaquin kit fox | Vulpes macrotis mutica |
blunt-nosed leopard lizard | Gambelia sila |
giant kangaroo rat | Dipodomys ingens |
listed fairy shrimp | Branchinecta lynchi |
Nelson’s antelope squirrel | Ammospermophilus nelsoni |
mountain plover | Charadrius montanus |
burrowing owl | Athene cunicularia |
pronghorn | Antilocapra americana |
tule elk | Cervus canadensis nannodes |
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) notes that additional species of concern include:[17]
Common name | Scientific name |
---|---|
longhorn fairy shrimp | Branchinecta longiantenna |
golden eagle | Aquila chrysaetos |
long-billed curlfew | Numenius americanus |
loggerhead shrike | Lanius ludovicianus |
Plant species
The CDFW Vegetation Community Mapping Program (VegCAMP) conducted botanical surveys in 2013 and 2014 in order to assess the presence of rare plants in the solar farm site. However, VegCAMP was unable to adequately assess vegetation both years due to low levels of plant germination, likely due to low levels of precipitation. A more comprehensive survey is slated for a year with higher levels of rainfall.[18][19]
Environmental review of California Flats Solar Project in the Cholame Valley
The final EIR for the California Flats Solar Project was released by Monterey County in December 2014. The EIR listed several plant and animal species of concern that can be found or have the potential to be found in the proposed solar farm site.
Animal species
Common name | Scientific name |
---|---|
coast horned lizard | Phrynosoma blainvillii |
golden eagle | Aquila chrysaetos |
tricolored blackbird | Agelaius tricolor |
short-eared owl | Asio flammeus |
burrowing owl | Athene cunicularia |
bald eagle | Haliaeetus leucocephalus |
loggerhead shrike | Lanius ludovicianus |
grasshopper sparrow | Ammodramus savannarum |
long-eared owl | Asio otus |
mountain plover | Charadrius montanus |
northern harrier | Circus cyaneus |
whitetailed kite | Elanus leucurus |
Oregon vesper sparrow | Pooecetes gramineus affinis |
San Joaquin kit fox | Vulpes macrotis mutica |
American badger | Taxidea taxus |
Pallid bat | Antrozous pallidus |
western mastiff bat | Eumops perotis californicus |
San Joaquin pocket mouse | Perognathus inornatus inornatus |
Plant species
Common name | Scientific name |
---|---|
Small-flowered morning glory | Convolvulus simulans |
Rattan’s cryptantha | Cryptantha rattanii |
diamond-petaled California poppy | Eschscholzia rhombipetala |
Diablo Range hare-leaf | Lagophylla diaboloensis |
Environmental review of Panoche Valley Solar Farm in the Carrizo Plain
Animal species
An environmental impact report (EIR) by San Benito County assessed the effects of the proposed solar farm on three present endangered species.[20] The results of the (EIR) are summarized in the table below.
Common Name | Scientific Name | Potential to occur | Status in California | Impact of Panoche Valley Solar Farm | Proposed mitigation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Joaquin kit fox | Vulpes macrotis mutica | Present | Federally endangered; state threatened | Threatens high priority habitat important for long term survival and recovery of species. | Prioritize habitat in the Ciervo-Panoche and Kern County as that would be the least expensive way to protect large tracts of habitat |
giant kangaroo rat | Dipodomys ingens | Present | Federally and state endangered | Threatens high priority habitat important for long term survival and recovery of species. | Secure the Ciervo‐Panoche Region from incompatible land uses |
blunt‐nosed leopard lizard | Gambelia sila | Present | Federally and state endangered; state fully protected | Threatens high priority habitat important for long term survival and recovery of species. | 6,000 contiguous acres of occupied habitat within the Ciervo‐Panoche area needs to be secured from incompatible uses. |
Additionally, several other invertebrate and vertebrate species occur or have the potential to occur in the proposed solar farm site. These organisms include:
Common name | Scientific name | Potential to occur | Status in California |
---|---|---|---|
longhorn Fairy Shrimp | Branchinecta longiantenna | Not likely to occur | Federally endangered |
vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp | Branchinecta lynchi | Present | Federally threatened |
Southwestern pond turtle | Actinemys marmorata pallida | Not likely to occur | California species of special concern |
silvery legless lizard | Anniella pulchra pulchra | Not likely to occur | California species of special concern |
San Joaquin coachwhip | Masticophis flagellum ruddocki | Present | California species of special concern |
coast horned lizard | Phrynosoma blainvillii | Present | California species of special concern |
California red-legged frog | Rana draytonii | Not likely to occur | Federally and state protected |
two-striped garter snake | Thamnophis hammondii | Not likely to occur | California species of concern |
California tiger salamander | Ambystoma californiense | Present | Federally threatened; state threatened candidate |
western spadefoot toad | Spea hammondii | Moderate | California species of concern |
tricolored blackbird | Agelaius tricolor | Present | California species of concern |
grasshopper sparrow | Ammodramus savannarum | Moderate | California species of concern |
golden eagle | Aquila chrysaetos | Present | State fully protected |
short-eared owl | Asio flammeus | High | California species of concern |
long-eared owl | Asio otus | Low | California species of concern |
Burrowing owl | Athene cunicularia | Present | California species of concern |
Swainson’s hawk | Buteo swainsonii | Low | State threatened |
mountain plover | Charadrius montanus | Present | California species of concern; federally threatened candidate |
northern harrier | Circus cyaneus | Present | California species of concern; federally threatened candidate |
white-tailed kite | Elanus leucurus | Low | State fully protected |
California condor | Gymnogyps californianus | Moderate | Federally and state endangered |
bald eagle | Haliaeetus leucocephalus | Not likely to occur | Federally protected; state endangered |
Loggerhead shrike | Lanius ludovicianus | Present | California species of concern |
Oregon vesper sparrow | Pooecetes gramineus affinis | High | California species of concern |
yellow-headed Blackbird | Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus | Not likely to occur | California species of concern |
San Joaquin antelope squirrel | Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus | Not likely to occur | California species of concern |
pallid bat | Antrozous pallidus | High | California species of concern |
Townsend’s big-eared bat | Corynorhinus townsendii | Low | California species of concern |
short-nosed kangaroo rat | Dipodomys nitratoides brevinasus | High | California species of concern |
western mastiff bat | Eumops perotis | Moderate | California species of concern |
Tulare grasshopper mouse | Onychomys torridus tularensis | Low | California species of concern |
American badger | Taxidea taxus | Present | California species of concern |
Plant species
The proposed site also has the potential to support several special status plant species[21]. These species include:
Common name | Scientific name | Potential to occur | Status in California |
---|---|---|---|
forked fiddleneck | Amsinckia vernicosa var. furcata | High | Fairly endangered |
California androsace | Androsace elongata ssp. Acuta | Moderate | Fairly endangered |
Salinas milkvetch | Astragalus macrodon | Low | Not very endangered |
Heartscale | Atriplex cordulata | Low | Fairly endangered |
Crownscale | Atriplex coronate var. coronate | Low | Fairly endangered |
Brittlescale | Atriplex depressa | Low | Fairly endangered |
San Joaquin spearscale | Atriplex joaquiniana | Low | Fairly endangered |
Lesser saltscale | Atriplex minuscule | Low | Seriously endangered |
Subtle orache | Atriplex subtilis | Low | Fairly endangered |
lost hills crownscale | Atriplex vallicola | Low | Fairly endangered |
Big tarplant | Blepharizonia plumose | Low | Seriously endangered |
round-leaved filaree | California macrophylla | Low | Seriously endangered |
California jewel-flower | Caulanthus californicus | Moderate | Seriously endangered |
Lemmon’s jewel-flower | Caulanthus coulteri var. lemmonii. | Moderate | Fairly endangered |
Potbellied spineflower | Chorizanthe ventricosa | Moderate | Not very endangered |
Hispid bird’s-beak | Cordylanthus mollis ssp. Hispidus | Low | Seriously endangered |
Hall’s tarplant | Deinandra halliana | Moderate | Seriously endangered |
gypsum-loving larkspur | Delphinium gypsophilum ssp. Gypsophilum | Present | Fairly endangered |
recurved larkspur | Delphinium recurvatum | Present | Fairly endangered |
cottony buckwheat | Eriogonum gossypinum | Low | Fairly endangered |
Idria buckwheat | Eriogonum vestitum | Moderate | Not very endangered |
pale-yellow layia | Layia heterotricha | Moderate | Seriously endangered |
Munz’s tidytips | Layia munzii | Moderate | Fairly endangered |
Jared’s pepper-grass | Lepidium jaredii ssp. Jaredii | Low | Fairly endangered |
Serpentine Linanthus | Leptosiphon ambiguous | Present | Fairly endangered |
showy golden madia | Madia radiate | Moderate | Seriously endangered |
San Joaquin woollythreads | Monolopia congdonii | Low | Fairly endangered |
Scenic impacts
Solar farms can affect scenic views and alter landscape aesthetics. The panels and arrays have the potential to degrade the visual character or quality of the landscape[22]. A way to reduce aesthetic impacts is to build low-lying solar arrays, as is the case with the proposed solar farm in Monterey County.[23]
Impacts on land usage and agriculture
Solar farms in the Central Coast Region could impact pre-existing land usage. A 2015 study by the Carnegie Institution of Science found that 15 percent of existing and proposed solar farms in California exist on land already impacted by human development. Twenty-eight percent of these farms impacted croplands and pastures and could impact the agriculture industry[24]. However, solar farms could have positive impacts on the agriculture industry. Some farmers are considering retiring agriculture land and using it to develop more profitable solar farms[25].
Scientists at Stanford University have developed a way to grow crops in solar farms. Computer-simulated experiments reveal that certain plants like agave could grow around solar panels. These plants would be beneficial to the solar panels as their roots could anchor the soil and foliage below and reduce dust kick-up. The agave plants would benefit from the solar panels as they could capture runoff water used to clean the solar panels. This system could also create a pathway to increase ethanol production, as the agave could be harvested and converted into biofuel.[26]
Economic Impacts
Solar Farm development and upkeep create jobs in the economy. Between 2009 and 2014, a total of 10,200 solar related construction jobs were created. An additional 136 permanent operations and maintenance jobs have also been created; these jobs will likely persist throughout the lifetime of the solar facilities.[27] The creation of solar farms also have a short-term boost on local economies. The California Flats Solar Project is expected to boost local commerce when workers make purchases in local shops and restaurants.[28]
References
- ↑ SunPower
- ↑ Energy.gov
- ↑ First Solar
- ↑ BHE Renewables
- ↑ BHE Renewables
- ↑ First Solar
- ↑ The Mercury News
- ↑ Panoche Valley Solar Facililty Draft EIR
- ↑ Duke Energy
- ↑ Duke Energy
- ↑ CDFW
- ↑ Department of Energy
- ↑ H.T Harvey & Associates
- ↑ (CDFW) California Department of Fish and Wildlife (US). 2013. Topaz Solar Farm Conservation Lands Habitat Mitigation and Monitoring Plan. Annual Report. Fresno (CA): CDFW. Available from: Topaz Preserve HMMP - Annual Report June 2013
- ↑ The Nature Conservancy
- ↑ USFWS
- ↑ USFWS
- ↑ (CDFW) California Department of Fish and Wildlife (US). 2013. Topaz Solar Farm Conservation Lands Habitat Mitigation and Monitoring Plan. Annual Report. Fresno (CA): CDFW. Available from: Topaz Preserve HMMP - Annual Report June 2013
- ↑ (CDFW) California Department of Fish and Wildlife (US). 2013. Topaz Solar Farm Conservation Lands Habitat Mitigation and Monitoring Plan. Annual Report. Fresno (CA): CDFW. Available from: Topaz Preserve HMMP - Annual Report May 2014
- ↑ San Benito County
- ↑ San Benito County
- ↑ Imperial County Planning and Department Services Department
- ↑ Monterey Herald
- ↑ San Diego Union-Tribune
- ↑ The Sacramento Bee
- ↑ Stanford News
- ↑ UC Berkeley Labor Center
- ↑ San Luis Obispo Tribune
Links
- California's Central Coast Region
- Monterey County
- San Benito County
- Photovoltaic technology in California's Central Coast Region
- California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Rare Plant Ranking System
Disclaimer
This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.