Energy Secretary Moniz visits LLNL solar farm

Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz recently visited the solar farm nearing completion on the Laboratory's west side.

Moniz was accompanied by LLNL Director Bill Goldstein, Livermore Field Office (LFO) Manager Nicole Nelson-Jean and utility and representatives from the Western Area Power Association, Public Service Enterprise Group Solar Source (PSEG Solar Source and Juwi Solar Inc.

The array of solar panels is located on 10 acres in the Laboratory's northwest buffer zone along Vasco Road. Juwi Solar Inc. designed, engineered and is financing and installing the 3.3 megawatt fixed-tilt solar photovoltaic array. In addition, Juwi will operate and maintain the solar energy system.

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.

The facility is expected to generate approximately 6,300 megawatt hours annually.Whitethorn Solar, recently purchased by PSEG Solar Source, 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 and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL).