City of Vacaville officials gathered Tuesday to “flip the switch” on the city’s newest investment in clean energy: a sprawling solar and battery system at the Easterly Wastewater Treatment Plant that is poised to become one of the city’s biggest tools for reducing both emissions and utility costs. The $5-megawatt solar field and onsite battery storage system, developed by San Francisco-based ForeFront Power, marks the culmination of a project the City Council approved in late 2020 as part of its push to save money and meet California’s aggressive climate-action benchmarks, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent of 1990 levels by 2030 and the switch to all carbon-free electricity sources by 2045. Justen Cole, Utilities Director, opened the ceremony with remarks and introduced Mayor John Carli. Later, Carli and Cole, alongside Forefront staff, Vice Mayor Sarah Chapman, and Vacaville Councilmember Jeanette Wylie, cut a ribbon and flipped a large light switch to officially open the new solar field. “This project is more than clean energy, it represents innovation, sustainability and a new way of managing our resources,” Cole said. Carli said he appreciated those in attendance for their support of the project and the good weather. “This is a really exciting day for Vacaville and our utilities customers,” he said. Carli said this is a “major step forward in Vacaville’s sustainability journey.” He also said that the cost-stable nature of solar energy will save the city money and will generate rate affordability for businesses and residents in the future. “We know that a lot of us may put solar on our rooftops, but this is different,” Carli said. The system is expected to generate 8. 1 million kilowatt hours of energy annually and eliminate the production of over 3, 500 tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to taking nearly 800 gas-powered cars off the road or 4000 acres of forestry saved. The project will offset the equivalent of about 3. 9 million pounds of coal burning every year and will offset the amount of atmospheric carbon that 58, 000 tree seedlings would absorb over 10 years. Carli said he was glad the project could happen in conjunction with ForeFront. “It made all the sense in the world, so we are so thankful for our partnership,” he said. More solar development is happening in the city, Carli said, making Vacaville a regional leader in sustainable energy. “Vacaville proves that essential public services can be reliable, cost-effective and environmentally responsible.” Cole said he has worked on this project since the beginning and thanked the ForeFront team for their support through the challenging project. “This project truly reflects their hard work and dedication in getting this one across the finish line,” he said. Cole said the utilities department will offset up to 80 percent of its electricity costs with this project and maintain compliance. “This gives us reliable, cost-effective power,” Cole said. Cole expressed excitement at the step forward for the sustainability of the utilities department and the city as a whole. “Today is a great reminder of what can happen when innovation meets purpose,” he said. Forefront CEO Ruben Fontes spoke at the event, arguing that it is important for cities to invest in projects like this one despite challenges. “These projects are a little complicated; sometimes they take a little longer than we would like,” Fontes said. Fontes said the city will save $25 million over 20 years as a result of the project. “We are proud to see that the city is leading the way from a sustainability perspective,” he said. ForeFront will charge the city a flat rate for the power that the solar array produces. “Under the terms of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the city of Vacaville, ForeFront Power will develop, own, and maintain the city’s solar energy portfolio,” the city’s website on the project reads. “ForeFront Power charges the city a fixed, below-market rate for electricity, which is locked in for the 20-year duration of the agreement. ForeFront Power will continue to operate and maintain the system at no cost to the city.”.
https://www.thereporter.com/2025/11/18/vacaville-unveils-wastewater-solar-project/
