California Bear Creek Ranch powering agricultural water pumps with solar energy

Bear Creek Ranch, an affiliation of Pacific Ag Management, in Wasco, California chose Conergy’s Solar Large Projects Group as the project manager for its 1.5-acre solar energy power generation site . The solar energy site will power the water pumps and irrigation system for the surrounding almond orchards. Brought into the project at its conception phase, Conergy is providing development, EPC and O&M services, along with assistance in securing financing. Using Conergy P modules and Conergy’s SolarLinea driven-pile ground mounting, the solar site will annually produce 470,000 kWh of clean solar energy, which is equivalent to reducing CO2 levels by 308,000 pounds per year or not driving nearly 6 million miles.  

Wanting to reduce their costs and hedge against rising utility rates, Bear Creek Ranch decided to install a solar power plant. Using an operating lease financing structure, the power plant will provide the ranch $2.6 million in utility savings over the next 25 years. “By implementing a solar power plant we are able to turn our energy costs into predictable fixed costs. By hedging against rising utility rates, we can increase our profitability, have better cost control and improved forecasting capabilities.” says Keith Gardiner, Managing Partner  of Bear Creek Ranch. “We chose Conergy as our project developer due to its track record, its reputation of installing similar systems on agricultural operations and the Company’s responsiveness.”

"Working on many agricultural solar energy projects, Conergy has the insight and experience to develop cost effective solutions for the unique challenges this sector faces, such as being heavily dependent on electricity to irrigate crops. We are pleased that we can apply this experience to the development of Bear Creek Ranch’s solar power plant development," said Conergy’s David Vincent, Project Development Manager. “With this solar power plant, Bear Creek Ranch is showing their environmental stewardship and energy leadership in the agricultural industry.” 

From planning, financing and engineering to procurement, construction, permitting, and maintenance, the Conergy Solar Large Projects Group has provided turnkey solutions to meet a continuum of renewable energy objectives. To every project, the Group brings its experience in developing power plants around the world from a 10 MW system for a Michelin manufacturing plant which at the time of interconnection was the largest rooftop installation in the world to 20+ MW installations in Spain and South Korea. In the United States, the Projects Group team brought online a 2 MW ground-mounted photovoltaic installation at the Fort Carson U.S. Army base in Colorado, a 3 MW ground mounted photovoltaic installation in Pennsylvania for Exelon and a 1.6 MW tracker system in California for the South San Joaquin Irrigation District.

The SolarLinea is a Conergy-manufactured driven-pile mounting system for free-field PV installations. With a terrain-adaptable design, the SolarLinea adapts to a ±10% terrain variation and minimizes or completely eliminates site modification. The system is designed to decrease the total install cost of PV system, from labour, equipment and other overhead costs. Offering design flexibility and optimal use of space, the SolarLinea is available in both a dual and single post options.

About Conergy USA
Only Conergy delivers solar energy systems from a single source. As a system manufacturer, Conergy produces all components for a solar installation and offers all services under one roof. With its modules, inverters and mounting systems, the solar expert creates Conergy System Technology, which is efficient and synchronized solar energy systems for private or commercial rooftops, as well as for multi-Megawatt Parks.

Conergy System Services deliver a “Worry-Free Package” for Conergy solar installations. Conergy’s experts not only install on-site turn-key solar projects, but they also manage the planning and financing, project implementation, system monitoring, operation and on-going maintenance of the project for maximum performance. With this comprehensive technology and service package, Conergy offers yield insurance for its installations.

Conergy System Sales brings Conergy premium products to nearly 40 countries. The solar expert supports homeowners, installers, wholesalers and investors in their efforts to “go solar” through deep-rooted local operations in 18 countries. With sales activities on five continents, Conergy has close relationships with all its customers. Listed on the Frankfurt stock exchange, Conergy employs more than 1,700 people worldwide. Since Conergy’s founding in 1998, it has produced and sold more than 1.5 GW of clean solar power.

Through its acquisition of well-established local companies, Conergy began operating as a distributor and project developer in North America in 2005 and currently has five offices, four warehouses and three production sites in the region. Conergy manufacturers mounting systems in Sacramento, CA. In Ontario, Canada Conergy produces modules and mounting systems that meet local content requirements for the Provincial FIT. In addition, Conergy operates a Project Group that develops and operates large-scale systems. Through these activities, Conergy maintains expert knowledge about local market conditions and requirements.

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About Bear Creek Ranch
After serving one term in the White House, Herbert Hoover decided to farm. He hired experts to find the best agricultural land available – the Bear Creek Ranch was one of two sites they identified.  “Hoover told them to find the best combination of soil, water and climate, and they didn’t let him down,” indicates Gardiner. “We’re on some of the best ground in the world. If you can’t make it as a farmer here, you can’t make it anywhere. We believe the solar system will stabilize our power costs and enhance our ability to farm this ground for generations.”