Optimum Group President Ali Sahabi, Tribal Chairwoman Rosemary Morillo and Coldwell Solar Representative Kevin Webb break ground on the historic solar power project.
Solar power is of huge importance to Soboba as we move closer to becoming a self-sustaining tribe
SOBOBA INDIAN RESERVATION, Calif. (PRWEB) May 03, 2016
Optimum Group LLC has secured a second Department of Energy grant for the Soboba Band of Luisen͂o Indians, bringing the total in federal funding for the tribe’s solar energy project so far to $1.5 million, officials announced today.
The latest award of $500,000 was a facilities grant confirmed in March through the Department of Energy. An earlier $1 million community grant through the DOE was awarded last year.
Both grants were conferred in association with a 1 MW facility being built in the eastern part of the reservation, the first of two solar power arrays planned by the tribe. It will power the administrative center, schools and other community buildings.
“Solar power is of huge importance to Soboba as we move closer to becoming a self-sustaining tribe,” said Tribal Council Chairwoman Rosemary Morillo.
Optimum Group LLC has managed the entire process as the solar project developer and owner’s representative. That work included planning and engineering, applications, securing the two grants from the U.S. Department of Energy and finalizing an aggregate net-energy metering agreement with Southern California Edison following Rule 21 of the California Public Utility Commission.
“This project would not have been possible without the support of the Tribal Council, Councilwoman Morillo and other members of the administration, including Steven Estrada, Kenneth McLaughlin, Michael Costello, Joseph Ontiveros, Susan Simmons and Deborah DeForge,” said Optimum Seismic President Ali Sahabi. “We are truly appreciative of the value that they brought to this project through their dedication, expertise and teamwork.”
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