Lab sustainability efforts move toward solar energy: DOE issues call for proposals

The Laboratory is planning to establish and use an onsite solar electrical-generation system that not only will provide a clean, renewable source of onsite energy, but an additional capability for LLNL energy research and development efforts.

This move toward solar energy will enhance the Lab's sustainability initiatives and performance, with a focus on renewable energy.

The Laboratory supports the federal government's national energy security, clean energy economy and climate change goals. In support of these goals, the Laboratory will establish and use an onsite solar electrical-generation system.

To meet these goals, LLNL and DOE/NNSA have issued a call for solar energy proposals for this renewable energy project and invite solar energy developers to visit the Livermore site in anticipation of submitting proposals.

Specifically, DOE/NNSA is soliciting proposals from developers to establish a solar energy system at LLNL's Livermore site on a 10-acre location in the site's northwest buffer zone. The solar energy developer would design, finance, build, operate and maintain a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic system for a period of at least 20 years. DOE/NNSA will purchase the power generated from this system. 

For more information on this Livermore Site Solar Electrical Generation Project, a Website is available.  DOE/NNSA encourages all interested parties to visit the Livermore site Nov. 13.  This visit requires pre-registration no later than Nov. 8. Final proposal submissions are due Jan. 18.  After review by the DOE site manager and the Laboratory director, a determination for awarding the project will be made in February/March 2013.

The Laboratory looks forward to a fully operational solar energy system in 2013 and continued initiatives to strengthen its overall sustainability performance.  Employee questions and feedback on sustainability at the Laboratory are welcome via green [at] llnl.gov ( e-mail ) or by calling (925) 424-7336 (G-REEN).

For specific questions about the call for proposals, send an e-mail .

To read more about the project, go to the NNSA press release .