Colusa Indian Community Council – 2022 Project

NOTE: Project pages are being updated regularly to reflect changes, if any; however, some of the information may be dated.

Summary

The Colusa Indian Community Council’s (CICC’s) Packer Ranch Solar Project consists of the installation of two ground-mount solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays with system capacities of approximately 838 kilowatts (kW) and 34 kW. Both solar PV arrays will interconnect to the local utility, and a net-energy metering aggregation interconnection agreement will allow the solar PV systems to offset the electricity bills of multiple adjacent Tribe-owned meters. The project is anticipated to result in electric bill savings of nearly $288,000 annually and a combined system lifetime savings of over $9.8 million for approximately 11 metered sites.

The Packer Ranch Solar Project supports Colusa Indian Community’s long-term energy goals by reducing energy costs and increasing the use of renewable energy to meet its needs.

Project Description

Background

The Colusa Indian Community of about 175 members resides in the heart of Northern California’s agricultural land on an approximately 290-acre reservation, along the bountiful Sacramento River, about 4 miles north of the Colusa city limits. The Colusa Indian Community owns and operates the Colusa Casino Resort, which is powered by the Tribe-owned and operated cogeneration plant. The cogeneration plant operates in islanded mode and autonomously from the local electric utility and employs a uninterruptible power supply with 15 minutes of battery backup to provide reliable power to the Colusa Casino Resort, as well as Tribal administration buildings, water and wastewater treatment facilities, a wellness center, and 35 homes. 

Project Objectives

The objective of the Packer Ranch Solar Project is to utilize renewable solar energy to reduce and stabilize the cost of electricity for the Tribe and its members by installing two ground-mount solar PV systems with a combined rated capacity of approximately 872 kW. The proposed project supports the Tribe’s long-term energy goals by reducing electric bills and increasing the use of renewable energy to meet its needs. Measurable objectives include saving the Tribe and its members nearly $288,000 annually and over $9.8 million over the 25-year life of the system.

Project Scope

The project scope includes the final design, procurement, installation, and commissioning of two ground-mount solar PV arrays and a transformer for interconnection to the electrical grid. The CICC project manager will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the project, managing the project schedule, and ensuring the project achieves its stated goals. The engineering, procurement, and construction contractors and the Colusa Indian Community will work together during the final design phase to ensure that the solar PV systems achieve the goals of the project in a cost-effective and timely manner. Drawings will be reviewed by the CICC and the engineering, procurement, and construction contractors for completeness and accuracy. The design and engineering team will continue to be engaged in the project after construction begins to ensure critical handoffs to the construction team are successfully met. After construction commences, the design and engineering team will be kept informed on construction progress and address questions arising from construction through a request for information process. Engineering and construction work will be done by engineering, procurement, and construction contractors under the oversight of the CICC project manager. The contractors will install the equipment per plans and specifications under the oversight of the CICC project manager.

Project Location

The Colusa Indian Community’s 150-plus members reside in the heart of Northern California’s agricultural land on a 290-acre reservation along the bountiful Sacramento River, about 4 miles north of the Colusa city limits on Highway 45 in Colusa County, California. The project is located on Colusa Indian Reservation land in Colusa County, California.