March 29, 2024
Global Renewable News

Solar Power Purchase for U.S. Department of Energy Laboratories

January 16, 2015

The U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) announced it has finalized the license agreement with Whitethorn Solar, a wholly owned subsidiary of Juwi Solar Inc. (Juwi), for a solar electrical generation system onsite at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.  When completed, the power generated by this system will represent the DOE/NNSA's largest purchase of solar power from an onsite facility and the first in its western region.

Juwi will design, engineer, install, and finance a 3 MW fixed-tilt solar photovoltaic array at the Laboratory's Livermore site. The array will be located on 10-acres in the northwest buffer zone along Vasco Road.  Juwi will also operate and maintain the ground-mounted solar energy system.  The facility is expected to generate approximately 6,300 MWh annually. Whitethorn Solar will sell the bundled renewable power generated from this system to the Western Area Power Administration (Western) through a 20- year purchase power contract and the DOE/NNSA will purchase the renewable power under its current power agreement with Western for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL).

"This solar power purchase through Western supports national energy security, the clean energy economy, and climate change goals articulated by the President," said DOE Under Secretary for Nuclear Security Frank Klotz.   "NNSA is proud to contribute to these important goals and enhance energy security and renewable energy efforts at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory."

Western Administrator and CEO Mark Gabriel said, "This project is another example of the Department of Energy's commitment to increase the amount of renewable generation used by federal agencies.  Western is proud to play a key part in achieving the Administration's goal to have renewable energy comprise 20 percent of the government's energy portfolio by 2020."

Senior Vice President and Western Sierra Nevada Regional Manager Subhash Paluru added:  "Thanks to the diligence and dedication of our Power Marketing staff and the Office of General Council, we were able to work through some key issues to execute a purchase power contract with Whitethorn Solar on behalf of DOE/NNSA."

We are very pleased to work together with the DOE/NNSA, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Western to realize onsite solar generation of this size located at the laboratory," said Michael Martin, president and CEO of Juwi. "This is Juwi's first solar photovoltaic power sale contracted with the federal government in California.  We look forward to bringing the facility on-line smoothly so it will provide the DOE with cost-effective solar power for years to come."

"We are excited to move to the next phase and bring solar power to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, this is an excellent example of teamwork and cooperation by several agency and national laboratory partners," said Nicole Nelson-Jean, DOE/NNSA Livermore Field Office Manager.

 An Opportunity Notice was issued by DOE/NNSA in October 2012 and the announcement January 13th, 2015, concludes the solicitation.

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For more information

National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
1000 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington District of Columbia
United States 20585
www.nnsa.energy.gov