2024 USGBC-CA Green Building Awards
Honor in Environmental Justice
Westlands Solar Park (“WSP”) represents a groundbreaking approach to sustainable development, making substantial contributions toward the State of California's clean energy goals to use 60 percent renewable energy resources by 2030.
WSP is one of the largest permitted solar parks in the U.S. that has the potential to grow to more than 2,700 megawatts (2.7 gigawatts) of renewable energy potential at full buildout which could provide clean energy to more than 650,000 homes. The master-planned solar park encompasses more than 20,000 acres in California’s San Joaquin Valley in western Fresno and Kings Counties and is designed to open in phases to meet the needs of public and private utilities and other energy consumers.
In addition to environmental restoration of selenium contaminated, non-productive farmland into a productive, solar energy-generating landscape, WSP exemplifies social sustainability by creating a significant number of local jobs. During the construction of the 250MW Aquamarine project, for example, the project created 500 jobs and provided training through apprenticeships, fostering a skilled workforce in renewable energy.
WSP has a completed and certified programmatic environmental impact report by S & P Global for the entire project. And by supporting public and private utilities and using innovative solar photovoltaic technology, WSP has gained recognition as one of the few renewable energy zones identified as a Competitive Renewable Energy Zone (CREZ) through the Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative (RETI)
process.
Westlands Solar Park (WSP) implemented several strategies that have contributed to its innovation and success:
Repurposing Contaminated Farmland: A key innovative step in WSP’s development is the repurposing of over 20,000 acres of unusable, selenium-contaminated farmland in California’s San Joaquin Valley. By transforming this previously unproductive land into a solar powerhouse, the project addresses environmental restoration while also creating a renewable energy solution. This repurposing represents a sustainable approach that helps reduce the environmental impact of land use.
Phased Development for Scalability: WSP’s phased approach to construction, starting with the 250- megawatt (MW) Aquamarine project, allows the park to scale its capacity gradually, accommodating the growing demand for clean energy while managing project complexity.
Battery energy storage systems: The utility-scale battery energy storage systems allow for WSP solar generation the flexibility to for essential applications such as peak shaving.
Integration into Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ): The site was strategically chosen within a CREZ, a designation from California’s Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative (RETI), which allows for optimized connection to the state’s electrical grid.
Strong Public-Private Partnerships: WSP benefits from a broad coalition of support from various stakeholders, including local labor unions, environmental groups (e.g., Defenders of Wildlife, Sierra Club), and public utilities. These partnerships have driven both financial investment and regulatory support for the project.
Workforce Development: The project’s collaboration with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 100 to provide apprenticeships and training programs for the solar industry is another significant driver of building this large-scale development.
The successful implementation of strategies at Westlands Solar Park (WSP) was the result of effective collaboration across multiple teams and stakeholders, each contributing to the project’s innovation and scale.
- Public-Private Collaboration: WSP brought together public agencies, private developers, environmental groups, and local communities. As the project’s developer, we partnered with the Westlands Water District and various governmental entities to repurpose contaminated farmland, turning it into a productive solar park. The project received backing from state authorities through its designation in a Competitive
Renewable Energy Zone (CREZ), streamlining grid access and permitting processes.
- Stakeholder Engagement for Regulatory Approvals: The project's success hinged on continuous engagement with regulators and civic groups. We worked closely with both federal and state bodies to
obtain environmental approvals and manage land use efficiently. The completed environmental impact assessments allowed the project to proceed with minimal delay.
- Labor & Workforce Development: The collaboration between our company and local labor unions, particularly IBEW Local 100, was a vital component of WSP’s implementation. More than 500 construction workers were employed during the initial phase.
- Cross-functional Teams for Technology & Infrastructure: Engineering, environmental, and operational teams worked in tandem to implement innovative photovoltaic technologies and install solar panels on steel posts to optimize sunlight capture. Through collaboration with diverse teams across public and private sectors, WSP successfully navigated the technical, environmental, and regulatory challenges of large-scale renewable energy development. This teamwork was key in executing a complex and innovative project like Westlands Solar Park.
- The innovation at Westlands Solar Park (WSP) has had a profound and multi-faceted impact on the surrounding communities, both economically and socially: Job Creation & Economic Development: The construction of WSP, particularly during its first phase (Aquamarine), generated approximately 500 construction jobs.
- Community Investment and Infrastructure: By converting unusable, selenium contaminated land into a solar park, WSP is contributing to both environmental and economic sustainability in the region. The project has attracted significant investment, with an estimated $3 billion expected to be invested over the course of its development. Through strategic partnerships with local organizations, we support diverse, inclusive, and self-sufficient communities. WSP, located near Stratford Elementary School, offers a unique opportunity to promote solar energy awareness. We partnered with the Heart of America Foundation and SOLV Energy to renovate The Library and Teacher’s Lounge. The completion of the beautification was celebrated with a Library RibbonCutting & Service Day. The library includes a “Good Energy Corner” where students can learn about solarenergy and create a miniature solar panel.
- Environmental and Health Benefits: As one of the largest permitted solar parks in the U.S., WSP contributes significantly to reducing additional greenhouse gas emissions. Once fully operational, it has the potential to provide clean energy to up to 650,000 homes.
- Long-Term Sustainability and Energy Resilience: WSP’s impact extends beyond the immediate community. By contributing to California’s goal of achieving 100% carbon-free energy by 2045, the project is helping to build a more resilient and sustainable energy grid for the entire state.