California Center for Sustainable Energy

CCSE provided the Padre Dam Municipal Water District a feasibility analysis, which evaluated the economic impact of installing a one megawatt photovoltaic system. Padre Dam used the information we provided as leverage during their solar project development and bid phase.

CCSE examined the load behind their multiple meter site and proposed distinct system sizes for each meter that optimized their potential for utility savings. A critical component of our analysis for Padre Dam included the determination of how to value each kWh produced by the proposed systems. This price per Kilowatt-hour value can then be compared against the price per Kilowatt-hour proposed by the installation company under a power purchase agreement ( PPA). A PPA is the typical financing arrangement for tax-exempt agencies that cannot directly take advantage of the federal tax credits associated with solar. Through our Energy Advisory Service, CCSE developed a thoughtful examination of Padre Dam’s interest in photovoltaics. The information we provided Padre Dam empowered them to make a confident decision to move forward with their project.

During the first complete year of operation, the system is estimated to produce more than 1.48 million kilowatt hours ( kWh) of clean solar energy and more than 27 million kWh over 20 years, enough energy to power more than 2,500 homes for one year. Over the next 20 years of production, the zero-emissions system will offset more than an estimated 28.2 million lbs. of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels that would have been emitted from the production of electricity to run the operation.