Difference between revisions of "Solar Farms in the California Central Coast Region"
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[[http://www.firstsolar.com/ 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.<ref>[http://www.firstsolar.com/-/media/First-Solar/Project-Documents/CAFlats_03391_DS_NA.ashx First Solar]</ref> | [[http://www.firstsolar.com/ 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.<ref>[http://www.firstsolar.com/-/media/First-Solar/Project-Documents/CAFlats_03391_DS_NA.ashx First Solar]</ref> | ||
| − | Apple has partnered with First solar and has committed approximately $850 million to help build the California Flats Solar Project. The technological company states 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.<ref>[http://www.mercurynews.com/2015/02/10/apple-plans-850m-solar-plant-in-monterey-county-to-power-all-california-operations/]</ref> | + | Apple has partnered with First solar and has committed approximately $850 million to help build the California Flats Solar Project. The technological company states 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.<ref>[http://www.mercurynews.com/2015/02/10/apple-plans-850m-solar-plant-in-monterey-county-to-power-all-california-operations/ The Mercury News]</ref> |
==Impacts== | ==Impacts== | ||
Revision as of 11:21, 6 April 2017
This page discusses solar farms in the central coast region.
Contents
Summary
Technology and design
Photovoltaic technology
Solar panels or arrays that converts solar energy directly into electricity implement photovoltaic (PV) technology.
Within each solar panel and array are small units of semiconductor material called PV cells. When sunlight strikes the surface of a PV cell, some photons are absorbed by the semiconductor material.[1] The photons transfer energy into the atoms of the semiconductor material and triggers the release of electrons.[2] These electrons move to the front surface of the PV cell and create an electrical imbalance, with the surface having a more negative charge than the bottom. The imbalance results in a voltage potential similar to the positive and negative ends of a battery.[3] Connecting electrical conductors to the positive and sides of the PV cell creates an electric current and generates electricity.[4]
All existing and proposed solar farms in the central coast use or plant to implement PV technology.
Array Design
Fixed arrays
Fixed arrays are the simplest and most affordable design.[5] These arrays are simply anchored on the ground or surface and remain stationary.
While more affordable, fixed arrays are subject to fluctuations in energy output throughout the day and year. Energy output is maximized when the sun's rays strike the arrays at a perpendicular angle. Since the angle between the arrays and sun changes daily and seasonally, the energy output of fixed arrays is frequently sub-optimal.[6]
Solar trackers
Solar trackers address the shortfalls of fixed arrays. These arrays have motors that allow the panels to follow the sun and increase energy output.
Two types of solar trackers exist: single axis and dual axis. Single axis trackers move in a single direction allowing the tracking of the sun throughout the day. Dual axis trackers add an additional level of moment that allow to follow the sun's position according to time of year.
While the added complexities allow for increased energy output, they are more costly to implement and upkeep.[7]
Locations in the Central Coast Region
Existing
| Name | Location | Date Completed | Acres | Energy capacity | Developer | Technology | Equivalent # of homes powered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Valley Solar Ranch[8] | San Luis Obispo County (Carrizo Plain) | October 2013 | 1500 | 250 MWac | SunPower | Oasis® Power Plant (PV single axis tracking arrays) | 100,000 |
| Topaz Solar Farm[9][10] | San Luis Obispo County (Carrizo Plain) | Novemeber 2014 | 4700 | 550 MWac | First Solar | PV arrays, fixed at 25 degree angle | 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.[11]
Apple has partnered with First solar and has committed approximately $850 million to help build the California Flats Solar Project. The technological company states 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.[12]
Impacts
Economic
Scenic
Environmental
Environmental Concerns
Species of concern
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 renegading the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).[13]
Carrizo Plain Endangered and Threatened Species
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] These species included in the report are:
- 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:[15]
- longhorn fairy shrimp (Branchinecta longiantenna)
- golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
- long-billed curlfew (Numenius americanus)
- loggerhead shrike fly (Lanius ludovicianus)
There are several more species that could be impacted by solar farms in the Carrizo Plain as it has the highest concentration of threatened and endangered species in the state.[16] Both SunPower and First Solar are committed to protecting biological diversity and have created conservation plants to protect habitat for these species.[17]
Panoche Valley
Animal species
An environmental impact report (EIR) by San Benito County assessed the effects of the proposed solar farm on three present endangered species.[18] The results of the (EIR) are summarized in the table below.
| Organism | Impact of Panoche Valley Solar Farm | Proposed mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| San Joaquin kit fox (V. macrotis mutica) | 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 (D. ingens) | 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 (G. sila) | 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 |
| blunt-nosed leopard lizard | G. sila | Present | Federally and state endangered; state fully protected |
| 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 |
| giant kangaroo rat | Dipodomys ingens | Present | Federally and state endangered |
| 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 |
| San Joaquin kit fox | Vulpes macrotis mutica | Present | Federally endangered; state threatened |
Plant species
The proposed site also has the potential to support several special status plant species.[19] These species include:
| Common name | Scientific name | Potential to occur | Status in California[20] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
California Flats Solar Project
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.
Plant species
- Small-flowered morning glory (Convolvulus simulans)
- Rattan’s cryptantha (Cryptantha rattanii)
- diamond-petaled California poppy (Eschscholzia rhombipetala)
- Diablo Range hare-leaf (Lagophylla diaboloensis)
Animal species
- coast horned lizard (Phrynosoma blainvillii)
- 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)
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. 28% of these farms impacted croplands and pastures and could impact the agriculture industry.[21]
Solar farms could have positive impacts on the agriculture industry. The San Joaquin Valley's $54 billion per year agriculture industry has been negatively impacted by drought and dwindling water resources. Some farmers are considering retiring agriculture land and using it to develop more profitable solar farms.[22]
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 would 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.[23]
References
- ↑ U.S. Energy Information Administration
- ↑ Alternate Energy Tutorials
- ↑ U.S. Energy Information Administration
- ↑ NASA
- ↑ Solar Panel Tilt
- ↑ Community energy development co-operative
- ↑ Community energy development co-operative
- ↑ SunPower
- ↑ First Solar
- ↑ BHE Renewables
- ↑ First Solar
- ↑ The Mercury News
- ↑ CDFW
- ↑ [(CDFW) California Department of Fish and Wildlife (US). 2013. Topaz Solar Farm Conservation Lands Habitat Mitigation and Monitoring Plan. 2013 Annual Report. Fresno: CDFW]
- ↑ USFWS
- ↑ The Nature Conservancy
- ↑ USFWS
- ↑ San Benito County
- ↑ San Benito County
- ↑ California Native Plants Society
- ↑ San Diego Union-Tribune
- ↑ The Sacramento Bee
- ↑ Stanford News
Links
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.
