Distributed Solar Development (DSD) has broken ground on a 1.283-MW solar plus 1.34-MWh storage installation at the Bishop Ranch business park and mixed-use development in San Ramon, California. The rooftop and canopy system is expected to offset Bishop Ranch’s energy usage by 90%, while the combined on-site storage system will help reduce its overall energy load to provide significant savings.
In partnership with Bishop Ranch’s owner, Sunset Development Company, DSD has now designed two solar projects on the campus to optimize energy production as Bishop Ranch works toward its ultimate goal of shifting to 100% clean, renewable energy.
“With substantial investments in innovative new technologies like this portfolio of solar energy systems, Bishop Ranch is redefining the concept of sustainable business practices,” said Ben Jones, Canopy Team Leader and Director of Engineering for DSD. “By working closely with their architectural partners, we were able to design solutions that align beautifully with Bishop Ranch’s existing architecture and aesthetic. It has been a true team effort, and everyone involved is extremely proud of the result.”
Bishop Ranch already holds the distinction of the largest concentration of LEED-certified space outside of a major metropolitan area, and this latest installation will build on that achievement.
The first site DSD designed and installed was at City Center Bishop Ranch, the largest outdoor shopping and lifestyle center in the world to be awarded LEED Platinum Certification due in part to the rooftop and canopy PV systems that produce 1.33 MW of renewable energy and designed to offset annual energy usage for City Center by 75% on average. In the last year, the solar installation at City Center Bishop Ranch produced about 2.15 GWh of energy, of which only 1.91 GWh was used by the center, and resulted in approximately $316,000 of savings.
“DSD is the perfect partner to help us achieve our renewable energy goals. They have the ability to create innovative and architecturally beautiful solar solutions that blend seamlessly with Bishop Ranch’s overall aesthetic while optimizing energy production,” said Alexander Mehran, Jr., President and CEO of Sunset Development Company. “This solar installation complements our core green philosophy, award-winning transit program, extensive recycling initiative, and green cleaning practices that have come to define Bishop Ranch.”
The two installations combined will produce an estimated 4,771 MWh/year.
