Press Release

MCE Announces Largest Renewable Energy Project in Solano County, CA

SAN RAFAEL and CONCORD, Calif. (Dec. 14, 2021) — The 5-megawatt Lake Herman Solar Project — completed with prevailing wage and 52% local labor — is now operational, serving approximately 2,000 homes a year with 100% renewable power. The project, developed in partnership with San Francisco-based Renewable Properties and owned by Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company, is the first to be completed through MCE’s Feed-In Tariff (FIT) Plus Program. The FIT Plus program offers project developers incentivized rates for renewable energy development in MCE’s service area. All projects completed through this program are subject to prevailing wage, 50% local hire, and pollinator-friendly solar requirements.

“The Lake Herman Solar Project represents a strong partnership between Renewable Properties, local labor, the City of Benicia, and MCE,” said Aaron Halimi, President of Renewable Properties. “This partnership resulted in a unique project that created a win-win for the environment and for the local economy. We are proud to be a part of the clean energy revolution.”

The Lake Herman Solar Project has almost doubled the amount of solar energy produced in Benicia from 7.8 megawatts to 12.8 megawatts and began providing electricity for businesses and residents in fall of 2021. While 67% of the labor hours were from residents in MCE’s 4-county service area, 52% were from Solano County, providing family-sustaining jobs and boosting the clean energy economy. Over 99% of the labor hours were provided through union partners. The project will also include pollinator-friendly ground cover to support healthy, local ecosystems.

“MCE’s Feed-in Tariff Program creates a unique opportunity to provide clean, local power to our customers,” says Dawn Weisz, CEO of MCE. “The Benicia project reduces the need for polluting fossil fuel plants, while offering high-value jobs to local workers. Lake Herman Solar showcases MCE’s commitment to energy equity through community partnership.”

The 35-acre Lake Herman Solar Project is MCE’s second renewable energy project in Solano County. This project will eliminate over 9,500 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to removing over 2,000 cars from the road for a year.