A first-of-it's-kind community solar project was dedicated Wednesday morning.
The IID / Citizens low-income community solar project near Calipatria will provide renewable energy to Imperial Irrigation District's qualified , low-income customers in the Imperial and Coachella valleys. The project was developed by Citizens Energy and the IID as part of Citizen's $100 million investment in the Sunrise Powerlink when they committed to use it's profits from that investment to benefit low-income customers in the IID's service area. Citizens Energy Corporation is a Boston-based non-profit founded by former U.S. Representative Joseph P. Kennedy. Citizens has compiled a 40-year history of channeling revenues from successful energy ventures to programs that help the poor. This community solar energy project will generate 30 megawatts of power for the IID grid under a 23-year purchase power agreement and will serve upwards of 12,000 electric customers in the economically stressed Imperial and Coachella valleys. The IID will pass along savings to qualified low-income customers in the form of an additional monthly discount on their bills.
Speakers at Wednesdays dedication ceremony included IID board president Eric Ortega , Joseph P. Kennedy , Citizens Energy founder and chairman , Drew Bohan , executive director of the California Energy Commission , state senator Jeff Stone and Ryan Kelley , chairman of the Imperial County Board of Supervisors.