San Bernardino Solar Farm

Project Summary

This 36MW ground mount utility-scale solar farm was developed across 3 distinct parcels. Approximately 28MW is located on the largest parcel while nearly 8 MW is located on the two combined smaller parcels. This interesting project utilized two DC voltages in the solar array and utilized a variety of equipment across the site to meet the customer’s economic goals.

Blue Oak Energy Scope

Blue Oak Energy provided full civil, structural, and electrical engineering for this project. The engineering team at Blue Oak was also instrumental in securing the grading and construction permits quickly during a compressed construction schedule. Our team also worked diligently with CAISO to permit the interconnection and system startup on time with a reduced monitoring system in place because of special considerations allowed for adjacent sites. During the construction phase Blue Oak promptly implemented significant equipment changes to support the project’s ongoing evolution.

System Specifications

• Panel Type: SunTech, Yingli and Jinko Solar modules
• Panel Qty: 119,785
• Racking Type: Array Technologies Single Axis Tracker
• Foundation: driven W-flange piles
• Inverter Type: Schneider
• Property: 2 sites across 3 parcels
• DC Voltage: 600 VDC and 1000 VDC 
• AC Voltage: 35kV

Key Features

• Large Site: 28.23 MWp with 2 modules and 2 inverter types.
• Small Site: 8.27 MWp with 2 modules and 2 inverter types.
• The project included coordination with the utility company to extend an overhead transmission line to interconnect the larger site. 
• Careful consideration was given to minimize shading from utility poles and lines.
• CAISO coordination for 2 co-located sites allowed special regulatory consideration to minimize equipment duplication and met stations across the sites.
• County permitting required road extensions and extensive civil planning across utility easements.