HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.0 RPCA La Porte Rd Project Narrative (6.23.23) FINALRenewable Properties, LLC
879 Sanchez Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
www.renewprop.com
June 23, 2023
Mr. Rowland Hickel
Senior Planner
Butte County
Development Services Department
7 County Center Drive
Oroville, CA 95965
Dear Mr. Hickel,
RE: La Porte Road Solar Project – Application for Conditional Use Permit – Project Narrative
On behalf of RPCA Solar 11, LLC, we submit this letter as a description of the La Porte Road Solar + Battery
Energy Storage (BESS) Project (Project). The combined solar plus battery energy storage project will be
located on approximately 22.52 acres of an 82-acre parcel just northeast of the community of Bangor in
unincorporated Butte County. The Project is located at 5864 La Porte Road (APN: 028-240-061). RPCA
Solar 11, LLC has entered into a long-term lease agreement with the property owner (Ross W. McGowan
Trust) to facilitate the development of this Project.
The solar Project will generate up to 3.0 megawatts (MW) alternating current (AC) (4.2 MW direct current
(DC)) of clean, reliable solar energy when complete. The BESS will charge and discharge a total of 3
megawatts (MW) alternating current (AC) of energy for up to a four-hour duration. The Project will
interconnect to PG&E’s pre-existing electrical distribution system located on site. The power generated
from this facility will be sold to PG&E through a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
The subject parcel is located in the “UR-20” zoning district and has a General Plan designation of “RMR-
20.” Based on the operating parameters of the proposed facilities, the Project is considered a Major Utility
/ “Tier 4 Solar Energy System.” Such systems are allowed by Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in this zone.
The parcel is not under Williamson Act Contract and is identified as “Grazing Land” by the California
Department of Conservation, Division of Land Resource Protection, Farmland Mapping and Monitoring
Program.
The Project will utilize approximately 7,784 solar modules and 24 string inverters to convert the sun’s
energy into usable, AC power. Single-axis tracking technology will be utilized to allow the modules to
efficiently track the sun throughout the day and maximize the efficiency of solar collection. The modules
will be mounted on a steel racking system, which will be anchored into the ground using driven steel piers.
The overall height of the array will be no more than 15-feet tall as measured from from ground level.
Locally-sited energy storage systems, like the Project, improve the resiliency of the regional energy grid
and increase the utilization of renewable energy resources by storing energy generated by the solar
project during the day and discharging at during peak demand hours.
We are excited to work with the County to advance this Project through the local review and approval
process. Please let us know if you have any questions about our application. We look forward to your
comments and a description of the review process and timeline ahead.
Sincerely,
RENEWABLE PROPERTIES
Stephanie Loucas
Chief Development Officer
415-710-3834