Duffel Photovoltaic Renewable Energy Project, Orinda

Project Overview 

East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) is proposing to develop a 5-megawatt photovolataic solar energy Project on EBMUD-owned land in Orinda. The Project would qualify for PG&E’s Renewable Energy Self-Generation Bill Credit Transfer (RES-BCT) Program, which would allow renewable electricity produced by the Project to offset energy consumed from up to 50 EBMUD electrical accounts with PG&E. This Project would eliminate EBMUD’s carbon footprint in the City of Orinda and assist EBMUD in meeting its Energy Policy goal to be carbon free for indirect emissions by 2040. The Project site is located directly across Bear Creek Road from PG&E’s Sobrante Substation, thereby reducing potential impacts associated with interconnection to the electrical grid. In addition, to preserve the open space character of the area, EBMUD has incorporated vegetative screening into the Project to minimize its visibility from Bear Creek Road and nearby trails.

EBMUD initiated the environmental review process including preparation of a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) that will evaluate project impacts. 

Workplan and schedule 

• Orinda City Council Meeting – March 5, 2019
• Orinda Planning Commission Meeting – July 9, 2019
• Release MND for 30-day Public Review – August 30 - September 30, 2019
• Public Meeting for MND – September 11, 2019, 6:30pm-7:30pm, Orinda Library Auditorium, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda
• Final MND – Fall/Winter 2019
• EBMUD Board Certification of Final MND and Project Approval – Fall/Winter 2019
• Construction – 2020-2021
• Operational - 2021         

Contact Info

Project Email: DuffelPVREP@ebmud.com

Emergencies or after hours, call EBMUD at 866-403-2683

Contractors: For bid opportunities on EBMUD projects, see Business Center.

Studies and Publications