Silver Lakes Solar Project is First for New Net Energy Metering

Silver Lakes Solar Project is First for New Net Energy Metering
Aggregate Program (NEMA)
The 831-kW solar plant is the first to be built in South California Edison’s territory
Helendale, Calif. – September 24, 2014 -- A new solar project in Silver Lakes, a planned community of
more than 3,000 residences in San Bernardino County, Calif., will be the first to take advantage of
Southern California Edison’s new NEMA program. A revolutionary step forward for distributed solar
generation, this program allows a utility customer, such as Silver Lakes’ homeowners association, to use
electricity from a solar facility on its property to offset electricity usage from multiple meters located on
contiguous properties owned or leased by the customer.
Clean power generated by the 831-kW PV system will offset electricity consumed by Silver Lakes’
community amenities, such as pools, clubhouses, restaurants and sports facilities. Construction will
commence in October, with completion expected by the end of the year.
The project was developed by SK Solar, who gave shape to the unique net metering opportunity, pulling
together various partners to create a viable solution for engineering, permitting, financing and ultimately,
construction. As one important piece of the puzzle, Silver Lakes has entered a 20-year Power Purchase
Agreement (PPA) with Pacific Power Renewables, which will allow the homeowners association to see
savings in the first year of solar production. Throughout the life of the PPA, Silver Lakes will experience
total estimated savings of over $3 million thanks to this innovative net metering program and PPA set-up.
"Pacific Power Renewables is proud to be part of this unique project, pioneering a new aggregate
metering tariff with SCE,” stated Dan Powell, CEO of Pacific Power Renewables. “PPR is providing the
construction finance, long term ownership and management of this high tech solar array and we’re
looking forward to a long term PPA partnership with the great community of Silver Lakes.”
“The Silver Lakes Association is excited to partner with SK Solar, and our investment partner Pacific
Power Renewables, to insure energy reliability and affordability into the future,” stated Greg Heldreth,
President of Silver Lakes Association (SLA). “Following the solar project installation and interconnection,
the reduction in current and projected future electricity bills are estimated conservatively to be $1.5M to
$3.5M over 20 years. These savings represent an important opportunity for SLA to control future
assessment increases by offsetting increasing electrical energy costs with clean, quiet, and efficient solar
energy.”
Leading solar development company SK Solar will also build the project, which will feature 315-watt
Sunmodule XL 72-cell solar panels from SolarWorld mounted on DuraTrack HZ single-axis trackers,
customized with a 60° range of motion, from Array Technologies, Inc. (ATI).
Boris von Bormann, CEO of SK Solar, Inc., said, “We at SK Solar are excited to stand behind this great
project for the community of Silver Lakes. We are thrilled in bringing all the pieces together to make this
project a success, starting with Silver Lakes Association as the client who will be benefiting of the solar
installation’s yearly energy output to cover almost 80% of their energy usage, involving Pacific Power
Renewables as the financing arm of the project and ultimately getting quality partners involved such as
SolarWorld and Array Technologies to ensure reliable and excellent equipment. This project has proven
to be a great step for everyone involved. We are thrilled to serve the community of Silver Lakes and
proud to be bringing them closer to producing clean energy for the next generation to come.”
Silver Lakes Solar Project will become a highly visible symbol of California’s commitment to an economy
propelled by competitive, reliable, and clean energy resources. The power plant will serve as an
instrument for learning how to integrate solar energy into a complex power system via net aggregate
metering.
“This revolutionary aggregate net metering program will allow cutting-edge companies and associations,
such as Silver Lakes Association, to take advantage of electricity cost savings provided by solar energy at
a long-term levelized cost of electricity,” indicated Ron Corio, CEO and Founder of ATI. “Array
Technologies is pleased to be a part of this project and contributing the solar trackers that will provide
smooth and continuous production throughout the day, including high-energy demand hours.”
The solar arrays at the Silver Lakes site are capable of generating over 1.8 million kilowatt-hours per
year, more than enough to power over 300 homes and to offset 2,887,121 lbs of CO2 annually for the
next 20 years. The system is scheduled to be interconnected by the end of the year.
About Silver Lakes Association:
Silver Lakes Association is nestled in the quiet oasis of the Mojave River Valley, located in Southern California. A
master planned community comprised of 3,459 residential properties with 2,726 lots currently built, the community
offers a 27-hole championship golf course, two shimmering lakes, sandy beaches, shady parks, an equestrian center,
tennis courts, fine dining, fitness facilities and miles of scenic landscape.
Silver Lakes gives families, youth, and seniors alike, quality, affordability, recreation and security in an upscale
setting. Residents enjoy a hassle-free high desert resort lifestyle with clean air and picturesque vistas. Everyday
comforts such as restaurants, an elementary school, middle school, high school, shopping, gasoline, and hair salons
are within walking distance. A year-round playground for all who enter, this resort atmosphere presents the ideal
escape from metropolitan costs, congestion, and crime.
About SK Solar:
Founded in 2003, SK Solar has designed and installed over 100MW of solar systems internationally. Building on the
company’s experience in wind and hydro power, SK Solar has been helping customers be more successful by
offering technologies that improve solar production and systems that deliver long-term financial benefits. SK Solar
provides home owners in the residential market as well as business owners in the commercial segment viable options
to save money on their electric bills as well as define the right energy strategy for the long-term. For more information
visit www.sksolar-usa.com and connect with us on Facebook.
About Pacific Power Renewables, INC.:
Pacific Power Renewables, INC (PPR), of Auburn, CA is a leading solar project developer and PPA provider for
large energy users. We develop, build, finance, and operate solar power systems. Since 2002, Pacific Power
Renewables has installed over 100 plants that combine to produce more than 20 megawatts of clean, efficient solar
energy. www.pacpower.biz
SolarWorld REAL VALUE:
SolarWorld manufactures and sells solar power solutions and in doing so contributes to a cleaner energy supply
worldwide. As the largest solar producer in the United States and Europe, SolarWorld employs about 3,200 people
and carries out production in Hillsboro, Ore., and Freiberg and Arnstadt, Germany. From the raw material silicon to
solar wafers, cells and panels, SolarWorld manages all stages of production ‒ including its own research and
development. The company maintains high social standards at all locations across the globe and is committed to
resource- and energy-efficient production. Headquartered in Bonn, Germany, SolarWorld was founded in 1998 and
has been publicly traded on the stock market since 1999. For more information, visit www.solarworld-usa.com.
About Array Technologies:
Array Technologies is the worldwide market leader in tracking solutions for utility, commercial and residential solar
electric systems, with more than 2 gigawatts shipped and installed across the globe. Array’s innovation and
leadership in ground mount fixed-rack and solar tracker design has established the industry standard for costeffective, robust, reliable and easy to install PV solutions with over two decades of field experience. Headquartered in
Albuquerque, NM, Array Technologies’ ground mount solutions are engineered and manufactured in the USA. For
more information about Array Technologies, Inc., please visit arraytechinc.com, connect with us on LinkedIn, follow
us on G+ and subscribe to our YouTube channel.