5 Major Solar Projects Will Lower Some East Bay Bills 20-Percent

The first two projects are slated to be operational next spring.

Source: Bea Karnes, Patch

BERKELEY, CA — Five major solar projects underway in the East Bay are expected to go online starting in April of next year with all operational by June 2026, according to Ava Community Energy, formerly called East Bay Community Energy.

Some residents will receive a 20-percent discount on their power bills as a result of the projects. Berkeley was not chosen as a site.

Here is the complete list of projects:

Ava is partnering with Prologis for the development of the solar and storage projects, in accordance with California’s Disadvantaged Communities Green Tariff (DAC-GT) program.

“Leveraging our distribution center rooftops for solar is another way we’re providing economic value for local communities,” said Vibhu Kaushik, Global Head of Energy, Utilities and Storage for Prologis. “These five solar projects, developed in collaboration with Ava, will help build energy resilience locally while providing discounted utility bills for low-income customers in these communities.”

All of the projects have 20-year contracts.

The DAC-GT program promotes the development of renewable generation within a disadvantaged community. Crucially, CARE/FERA customers living in a DAC will have access to a 100-percent renewable energy supply along with a 20- percent discount on their electricity bills.

“These projects contribute to Ava’s goal of promoting economic development and environmental stewardship across our service territory” said Annie Henderson, Chief Customer Officer at Ava. “These projects create local jobs, enhance community resilience by localizing power generation, and will reduce bills for our most vulnerable customers.”

Ava is a not-for-profit public power provider for more than 1.7 million residents and commercial customers in Alameda County and the City of Tracy.