http://solarhbj.com/news/los-angeles-utility-moves-ahead-with-plans-for-citys-largest-solar-pv-array-01085As part of its strategic initiative to expand local solar generation, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power advanced plans Tuesday to build a 5-megawatt solar photovoltaic installation atop a covered reservoir in the Granada Hills area.
Called the Van Norman Bypass Reservoir Solar Project, the $15.3 million project will become the city’s largest solar array. The solar modules will be installed on a 575,000-square-foot rigid roof that covers a drinking-water reservoir. The project will help the city of Los Angeles meet its renewable energy goals as well as pending state renewable energy goals.
“This is an exciting step as we launch our initiative to expand development of local solar on city-owned property,” said Lee Kanon Alpert, president of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners, which approved the initial environment documents required under the California Environmental Quality Act on Tuesday, Nov. 2.
“This project will foster the city’s green economy and help create green jobs. It also demonstrates our strategy of developing renewable energy in a thoughtful and cost-effective way by leveraging existing assets, including one of our own reservoirs,” LADWP General Manager Austin Beutner said.
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