Show All Answers

1. 1. Why is Sweetwater Authority conducting a study to build a floating solar project?

This project could help offset Sweetwater Authority’s electric costs by roughly 66%, a savings of roughly $500,000 each year, allowing us to not only ensure greater rate stability for our customers, but also pay for much needed infrastructure development.

With SDG&E’s rates expected to continue to rise, potential savings to Sweetwater Authority and its customers will only increase.

2. 2. What is the size and scope of the project being studied?

Sweetwater Authority is proposing to build a 3.7 MW floating solar project on roughly 9.5 acres, or about 1%, of the reservoir surface area (when full).

Locating the project on water as opposed to land avoids a number of issues, including the cost of procuring land, potential impact to home values by construction on land, impacting recreational use, and impacts to natural habitat and other environmental resources.

3. 3. Will this project impact the safety of my water?

No. Sweetwater Authority is required to provide water that meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water health standards. The project will require approval by the State of California’s Division of Drinking Water, which is tasked with verifying and providing permits for projects that impact drinking water reservoirs to ensure water quality and safety. Furthermore, the Sweetwater Reservoir water is treated at the Perdue Water Treatment Plant prior to delivery to our customers.

This project will not be allowed to proceed without ensuring the water we deliver to our customers remains safe.

4. 4. What are the environmental impacts of this project?

As part of this study, Sweetwater Authority staff is conducting the necessary analysis to inform a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliant initial study, which is anticipated to be completed by November 2024.

At the conclusion of the initial study, a recommendation for Mitigated Negative Declaration or an Environmental Impact Report will be presented to the Governing Board.

5. 5. What is the benefit of this project to ratepayers?

With roughly 65% of our service area designated a disadvantaged community, 43% severely disadvantaged and 22% moderately disadvantaged, our ability to find creative solutions to help lower costs to our customers is critical.