Alternative Energy Source

County may get a second solar farm on Carrisa Plains

Hayward firm proposes capturing the sun’s rays in the Carrisa Plains with panels on 9.5 square miles

By Julie Lynem

Correction 4/26/08:A front-page story about a proposed solar farm published Thursday incorrectly reported how much land the project would cover on the Carissa Plains. They would be installed on 9.5 square miles, not 9.5 acres.

San Luis Obispo County’s sunlight is in high demand.

OptiSolar, a Hayward-based company, has plans to develop a photovoltaic solar farm on the northwestern corner of the Carrisa Plains.

The 550-megawatt Topaz Solar Farm, touted as having minimal environmental impact, would generate enough electricity to power about 190,000 homes.

The solar panels, built with thin-film photovoltaic technology, are designed to be low pro-file, nonpolluting and quiet, company officials said.

The panels are similar to those on a home and generate electricity from the sun without moving parts.

OptiSolar officials anticipate submitting an application to the county in May for a conditional use permit. If approved, construction could begin in 2010.

The panels, none of them closer than half a mile off Highway 58, would be installed on 9.5 square miles over three years.

“We as a company are excited about being part of the community to promote a clean energy future and a clean environmental future,’’ said Arun Banskota, vice president of development at OptiSolar.

Representatives from the company gave an overview of the project Wednesday at a meeting of the Economic Vitality Corp. of San Luis Obispo County.

OptiSolar decided to locate in the county because of the abundance of sunlight here, but it’s also helping the county and the state to reach its goal of providing clean, renewable energy sources.

California law mandates that utilities such as Pacific Gas and Electric Co. include 20 percent renewable energy—solar, wind or geothermal — in their output by 2010.

The farm is expected to generate some economic benefits for the community as well. The company said it will work with local construction firms and suppliers. When the project is completed, ongoing operations would require a small team of workers.

Founded in 2005, OptiSolar employs more than 270 people. Many of them, including one of the main designers of the solar farm, are Cal Poly graduates.

Last year, Ausra Inc., based in Palo Alto, announced plans to build a 177- megawatt solar plant — enough to power between 132,000 and 177,000 homes — on 640 acres near the Carrizo Plain National Monument.

The firm is seeking a state permit and hopes to begin construction in 2009.