January 14, 2010: CalRENEW-1, soon to go on line, represents an exciting milestone for the City of Mendota in Fresno County and for the state of California. The solar farm will generate 5 megawatts of zero emission electricity for sale to Pacific Gas & Electric.

The Willdan Engineering team of power plant experts, working out of Willdan's Fresno office, assisted the City with construction management, plan review and inspection services for the fast track solar power plant located on City owned property.

CalRENEW -1 became the first utility-scale photovoltaic solar farm to be constructed after approval by the California Public Utilities Commission under the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard program. The solar farm, developed by Cleantech America, will help California meet its stringent renewable energy and carbon reduction goals. It will create an estimated 165 long-term green jobs and prevent annual emissions of 6.3 million pounds of CO2.

Photograph by project contractor, Intermountain Electric.