The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) in Fresno, California held a "Flip the Switch" ceremony today to celebrate the completion of solar and battery energy storage projects at three locations: the Fresno Clovis Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Northeast Surface Water Treatment Plant, and the Southeast Surface Water Treatment Plant. These three projects all use single axis solar trackers. The total scale of the DPU project is 27 megawatts of direct current (and 5.3 megawatts of alternating current energy storage), and it is expected to save taxpayers over $122 million in costs by 2045.

The most core part of the project is the 19.6 MW solar system and 2.3 MW energy storage system located at the Fresno Clovis area wastewater recycling facility, believed to be the largest commercial solar and battery system in the United States to date.

The Fresno Department of Power (DPU) has partnered with ForeFront Power to develop a portfolio of user side solar and energy storage projects. The project was built by local union workers from IBEW Local 100, creating 120 local job opportunities.

I am immensely proud of this extraordinary achievement, which not only made Fresno famous, but also fulfilled our commitment to building a sustainable Fresno, "said Mayor Jerry Dyer. Providing renewable energy for these city wide projects and DPUs is part of our comprehensive plan to reduce energy costs, ensure the safety of critical infrastructure, and enhance environmental sustainability. By injecting vitality into this vast renewable energy portfolio and supporting our public utilities, Fresno is proving to the rest of the country that clean energy is a valuable tool for serving communities

We are honored to collaborate with the city of Fresno to realize their visionary energy plan, "said Dr. Ruben Fontes, CEO of ForeFront Power. The scale and influence of DPU's power plants are unique. By producing and storing clean energy on-site, DPU reduces reliance on expensive grid electricity and returns the saved energy to taxpayers. In addition, the battery energy storage system installed in each power plant ensures that there is always sufficient energy to power the important infrastructure of the city

The development of DPU's solar and energy storage combination does not require prior investment from the municipal government, nor does it utilize bond funds. According to the 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed with the municipal government, ForeFront Power owns and maintains its solar and energy storage portfolio developed for DPU. In the next 20 years, ForeFront Power will charge DPU a fixed electricity price lower than the market, and DPU will avoid rising utility rates, thereby achieving budget certainty. During the PPA period, ForeFront Power will continue to operate and maintain the DPU solar and energy storage portfolio at no cost to DPU.

As the DPU project portfolio is nearing completion, Fresno is moving towards a national milestone: having the largest cross campus solar and battery energy storage project portfolio in the United States. In addition to the DPU project portfolio, ForeFront Power has recently completed the construction of solar energy systems in several other municipal locations, including the Fresno Animal Center, Fire Station 18, and Southeast Police Station.

Looking ahead, ForeFront Power is busy developing additional solar and battery storage systems at the new terminal and airport parking lot of Fresno Yosemite International Airport, as well as solar systems at the fax (Fresno Regional Express) bus yard and employee parking lot.

The Mayor of Dell added, "The scale of these new solar and energy storage assets is impressive when you visit the DPU site." "We thank ForeFront Power for their ongoing support in developing world-class renewable energy assets and stimulating job growth in Fresno. We also thank IBEW Local 100 local union workers for their tireless efforts in building these systems, as well as the job opportunities they have created for the local community. Together, we will build Fresno into a beacon of responsible energy innovation, job growth, and economic resilience

The city of Fresno utilizes the Renewable Energy Centralized Procurement (REAP) program to purchase solar and battery energy storage assets. The REAP program is managed by SPURR, a joint authority dedicated to helping the California public sector control and reduce utility spending. REAP provides pre negotiated contracts, industry-leading pricing, and standardized terms for public sector buyers. Through REAP's integrated RFP process and PPA, the city of Fresno has chosen ForeFront Power to develop, finance, and build its solar and energy storage asset portfolio.