Oxford Solar Project - Energy.gov · 11/13/2017  · Oxford Solar Project . Presented by . Brent Brown, Construction Project Manager. Southern Ute Indian Tribe. Ignacio, Colorado.

Oxford Solar Project Presented by

Brent Brown, Construction Project Manager

Southern Ute Indian TribeIgnacio, Colorado

November 13th, 2017

Historic Ute Land

Ute History

Southern Ute Statistics Today

Tribal Members: 1,500

Reservation: 1,064 square miles

Employment: The Tribe is the largest employer in La Plata County with more than 1,300 employees.

Fee Acreage

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New MexicoArizona

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San Juan Basin

Location of Reservation

Conducted a broad study of solar energy options (2012-2013)

Goalso Identify Lands best suited for solar PV projectso Identify if Utility and/or Commercial scale solar is currently viable on the

Reservationo Identify needed conditions for economically viable projects

High level analysis of solar energy opportunity within Reservation boundaries

o Utility Scale – wholesale energy, ground mount, greater than 1MWo Commercial Scale – net metered, roof mount, less than 1MW

Solar photovoltaic (PV) technologyo Low Technology Risko Rapid Price Declineo Widely Deployed

Solar Feasibility Study

Identified most suitable areas for utility scale solarUtilized site based parameters that impact energy generation,

development cost and/or development risko Proximity to transmission infrastructureo Proximity to roadso Topography (slope, aspect and flood plains)o Solar resourceo Land Ownershipo Habitat for threatened and/or endangered specieso Others

Utilized GIS data and developed parameter weighted scoring methodology to compare sites (Solar Suitability Score)

Collected data and mapped all Reservation lands

Selected 8 most promising areas

Solar Feasibility Study

GIS Based Solar Suitability

Project Location

Part of Tribe’s overall plan to diversify their businesses– Decision started the process in

2006

We have the solar resource

The technology became economically feasible

From 2009-2014 Solar costs dropped over 60%

Grant was critical to the project

Does Solar Make Sense?

Environmental– NEPA - Eligible for a Categorical Exclusion due to early farming and

ranching activity which disturbed the land

Geotech– Utilized an outside contractor and took extra care in this evaluation

Land Lease and Rights of Way– Right to use and access the land (e.g., Trust land)– Complexities

• BIA water ditches• Private property• Utility rights of way and infrastructure• Oil and gas infrastructure

Permitting / Land Access

Discussions included: Interconnection Agreement

- Negotiated with local electric utility

- Defines the terms under which the project can connect to the grid

Power Purchase Agreement- Defines the rates the project

will be paid for the energy provided to the buyer

- Power purchased at $0.072/kWh

Utility Negotiations

Finalize Design (Summer of 2016)

~1,000kW ground-mount Photovoltaic (PV) project Interconnection near an underutilized substation Power sold to local utility Electricity generated equivalent to the usage of about 250

households $3M budget including $1.5M award from USDOE TEP/EERE -

Community-Scale Clean Energy Projects in Indian Country

Construction Overview

Construction OverviewConstruction Started (Fall 2016)

Underground Conduit Pile Structures

Inverter Assembly

Construction Overview

Energize and Test the Array Commission the System Commercial Operation (Spring 2017)

Construction Overview

Construction Overview

Site Stabilized

Tri-State Installing Monitoring Equipment

Monitoring Program

Tribal Council Members: Kevin Frost, Lorelei Cloud, Adam Red, Tyson Thompson

Photo courtesy of the Southern Ute Drum - Ignacio, CO

Dedication Ceremony July 24th, 2017

Photo courtesy of the Southern Ute Drum - Ignacio, CO

Governor Hickenloooper Inspecting the Array

Start negotiations with your area electric company early in the project in order to reach agreement for the power purchase and interconnection.

Submit the archeological, environmental and wildlife studies to the appropriate agency early in the planning stages in order to obtain the FONSI.

Contract a local solar company for the post construction operation and maintenance of the facility.

Work closely with the regional BIA agency to obtain all required easements and right of ways.

Be prompt with the required grant quarterly reporting.

Lessons Learned

What We Have Earned

Chart1

42887

42917

42948

42979

La Plata Electric Payments Received

11837.08

16840.22

19199.38

16613.71

Sheet1

FUNDS RECEIVED FROM LA PLATA ELECTRIC

FOR SOLAR PLANT PERFORMANCE MONTH OF:

Jun-17Jul-17Aug-17Sep-17TOTAL

$11,837$16,840$19,199$16,614$64,490

Sheet1

La Plata Electric Payments Received

Hayes BriskeyUtilities Manager

[email protected]

970 563-5502

Questions?

Brent BrownConstruction Project Manager

[email protected]

970-764-6420

Contact Information

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

Slide Number 1Historic Ute LandSlide Number 3Southern Ute Statistics TodaySlide Number 5Solar Feasibility StudySolar Feasibility StudyGIS Based Solar SuitabilitySlide Number 9Slide Number 10Slide Number 11Slide Number 12Slide Number 13Slide Number 14Slide Number 15Slide Number 16Slide Number 17Slide Number 18Slide Number 19Slide Number 20Slide Number 21Slide Number 22Slide Number 23Slide Number 24