On September 16, 2021, Vallecitos Water District celebrated the completion of their new solar projects with a ribbon cutting ceremony. These new projects, installed at the District’s Twin Oaks valley and Lift Station #1 facilities, were developed in partnership with TerraVerde Energy, the District’s energy consultant who supported the District through the feasibility, development, procurement, and implementation phases of the projects. Upon completing the technical & financial feasibility assessments, the District & TerraVerde ran a competitive procurement process to solicit proposals from qualified firms for these projects. As a result, the District engaged Kenyon Energy (in partnership with Holt Renewables) to implement the solar project.

“The project is a great benefit to Vallecitos customers,” said Mike Sannella, Vallecitos Water District Board President. “Through our export of power into the electrical grid, we receive bill credits. The District benefits directly through reduced power costs, and that cost savings is passed down to the customer in reduced water and sewer rates.”

These projects are structured under a Power Purchase Agreement, by which Kenyon Energy finances, installs, operates, and maintains the systems for 25 years. These systems will offset the costs of the Districts SDG&E bills across 16 electricity accounts and deliver over $12 million in savings over the 25-year PPA term.

“The District wants to publicly thank TerraVerde Energy, Holt Renewables, and Kenyon Energy for their valuable roles in the success of this project,” said Sannella. “We also want to acknowledge the effort of the District’s inhouse engineering team.”

“TerraVerde Energy is thrilled to have supported Vallecitos Water District in the development of these projects,” said David Burdick, Executive Vice President of TerraVerde Energy. “We look forward to our continued partnership with the District through the operational phase of these systems to ensure that they deliver on their pre-deployment expectations.”

TerraVerde Energy will provide a suite of asset management services, designed to optimize the value of these projects and provider transparency into the financial performance of these projects in their operational phase, including: system performance monitoring, oversight of the provider warranty & performance guarantee obligations, and detailed energy & financial reporting.

About Vallecitos Water District

As an independent, special district, Vallecitos is dedicated to providing water, wastewater, and reclamation services to over 105,000 people in a 45-square-mile area that includes San Marcos; the community of Lake San Marcos; portions of Carlsbad, Escondido and Vista; and other surrounding unincorporated areas.

About TerraVerde Energy

TerraVerde is a leading independent energy consulting firm that supports clients in designing and deploying energy projects and programs that reduce costs, optimize value, and increase resiliency. Over the past 12 years, TerraVerde has developed over $500 million worth of projects delivering more than $50 million in energy cost savings to clients to date. Learn more at terraverde.energy.

 For more information, contact: David Burdick  |  Executive Vice President  |  TerraVerde Energy  |  david@terraverde.energy  |  415.272.1014

Photo of Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Twin Oaks Valley Facility

Pictured from left to right: Board Member Jim Pennock, Board Member Jim Hernandez, Board Vice President Craig Elitharp, Board President Mike Sannella, Board Member Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson, General Manager Glenn Pruim