{"id":235678,"date":"2020-09-03T18:14:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-03T18:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/?p=235678"},"modified":"2026-01-06T18:50:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T18:50:07","slug":"construction-started-for-california-pollinator-friendly-solar-farm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/us\/news\/construction-started-for-california-pollinator-friendly-solar-farm\/","title":{"rendered":"Construction started for California pollinator-friendly solar farm"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n

Construction started for polinator-friendly solar farm<\/h1>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/section>\n \n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \n \n \n \n \"\"\n\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n \n
\n
\n
\n \n

Lightsource bp completes financing and starts construction on California pollinator friendly solar farm as part of SMUD\u2019s Neighborhood SolarShares program<\/h2>\n

SACRAMENTO, California<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Lightsource bp, a global leader in solar development, has successfully closed on a $20 million financing package and mobilized construction on its\u00a0Wildflower Solar<\/a>\u00a0project located in Rio Linda, about 10 miles north of Sacramento, California. All of the electricity generated by the 16.5MWdc\/13MWac project, enough to power about 2,600 homes, will be purchased by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) through a long-term power contract. SMUD, one of the largest community-owned, not-for-profit, electric service providers in the US, has been recognized worldwide for its innovative leadership in sustainability.<\/p>\n

SMUD will use the power purchased from Wildflower to support its\u00a0Neighborhood SolarShares program<\/a>\u00a0that can provide solar to new housing developments through an off-site utility scale solar project. The community solar program gives developers the ability to deliver the environmental benefits of solar power without having to install it on every rooftop.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThis program provides options to builders and a net benefit to potential homebuyers, all while providing clean power to our community. The state of California and the Sacramento region are facing an affordable housing crisis and our low-cost solar option provides a valuable tool to lower the construction costs of new homes while supporting carbon reduction goals.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2013\u00a0Arlen Orchard<\/strong>\u00a0SMUD CEO and General Manager<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe affordability of solar, combined with its generation of emissions free electricity has made it an ideal source to add to our country\u2019s energy mix. Adding on benefits such as community solar programs that help contribute to affordable housing, along with implementing long-term land management plans that enhance local biodiversity, are all ways that we can work together to multiply solar\u2019s contribution to our nation\u2019s economy and environment.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2013\u00a0Kevin Smith<\/strong>\u00a0CEO of the Americas for Lightsource bp<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Financing provided by leading institutions<\/h3>\n

Lightsource bp secured tax equity financing for the project from Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, via its partnership with the Rockwood Group. National Westminster Bank PLC (NatWest), a major retail and commercial bank and leading project financing lender in Europe and long-standing partner of Lightsource bp, is the senior project finance debt lender. The balance of the equity requirements will be invested by Lightsource BP. Lightsource bp engaged CohnReznick as the financial advisor on the transaction.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Local jobs<\/h3>\n

Project construction is underway, with commercial operation expected by the end of 2020. Construction Innovations, one of the largest locally based U.S. manufacturers of specialized electrical systems, has partnered with local contractors to build the project. The project will employ more than 75 on-site construction team members from the local community during peak construction, in addition to supporting full time manufacturing jobs within Construction Innovations\u2019 Sacramento facility. Founded in Sacramento in 2011, Construction Innovations has provided the electrical systems needed to power over 6% of all solar capacity nationwide.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pollinator friendly solar \u2013 fostering biodiversity and boosting crop yields<\/h3>\n

Lightsource bp creates customized long-term land and environmental management plans for solar farms that aim to maintain, as well as develop, plant and wildlife habitats to provide a net gain for local biodiversity. The plan for Wildflower Solar will be to create a pollinator friendly solar farm, designed in collaboration with ecology experts to restore and conserve pollinator habitat.<\/p>\n

Here in California as well as around the world, habitat loss and climate change have caused pollinator populations to decline. Over 85% of the world\u2019s flowering plants, including more than two-thirds of the world\u2019s crop species, are dependent on pollinators, so declining populations have detrimental effects on food systems worldwide. Researchers at the Department of Energy\u2019s Argonne National Laboratory have found that stable pollinator populations facilitated by pollinator-friendly solar farms allowed nearby agricultural land to be pollinated and, ultimately, boosted crop yields.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

About Lightsource bp<\/h3>\n

Lightsource bp is a global leader in the development and management of solar energy projects. They are a 50:50 joint venture with bp plc, working together to help drive the world\u2019s transition to low carbon energy through competitively priced and sustainable electricity. With solar set to increase tenfold in the next 20 years, Lightsource bp is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth and enact real change on the global energy landscape through responsible solar projects.<\/p>\n

The team is comprised of 500 industry specialists, active across 13 countries \u2013 providing a full-service to their customers from initial site selection and permitting through to long-term management of projects. Lightsource bp in the US is headquartered in San Francisco with development offices in Denver, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Houston. Since the company announced its strategic expansion into North America in late 2017, the team has developed a pipeline of more than 7 gigawatts of large-scale solar projects at various stages of development across the United States with over one gigawatt of contracted assets. \u00a0For more information visit\u00a0lightsourcebp.com<\/a>, follow us on Twitter\u00a0@lightsourceBP<\/a>\u00a0and Instagram\u00a0@lightsourcebp<\/a>\u00a0or view our\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>\u00a0page. For media inquiries, please contact Mary Grikas at\u00a0mary.grikas@lightsourcebp.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

About SMUD<\/h3>\n

As the nation\u2019s sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for almost 75 years to Sacramento County (and small adjoining portions of Placer and Yolo Counties). SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies, and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. SMUD\u2019s power mix is about 50 percent non-carbon emitting. For more information, visit\u00a0smud.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n

Related news<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n \n \"\"<\/picture>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n

13 Jan, 2026<\/p>\n \n

Lightsource bp and Toyota enter into a power contract in Texas<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Lightsource bp and Toyota Motor North America have finalized a virtual power purchase agreement for energy from the 231MW Jones City 2 solar farm in Texas.<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n \n \"\"<\/picture>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n

14 Oct, 2025<\/p>\n \n

Lightsource bp and Pinnacle Financial Partners announce $97.9M tax equity deal for Peacock Solar<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

\u00a0Lightsource bp and Pinnacle Financial Partners today announced the closing of a $97.9 million tax equity deal to finance the 187 MW Peacock Solar in San Patricio County, TX.<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n \n \"\"<\/picture>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n

15 Aug, 2025<\/p>\n \n

Lightsource bp wins two North American Agrivoltaics Awards<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Lightsource bp proudly announces receipt of two North American Agrivoltaics Awards: Solar Ranch of the Year and Champion of the Year.<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n \n \"\"<\/picture>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n

31 Jul, 2025<\/p>\n \n

Solar Power World names Lightsource bp the top solar developer in the USA<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Lightsource bp, a global leader in renewable energy development, has been named the United States\u2019 #1 solar developer by Solar Power World.<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n \n \"\"<\/picture>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n

01 May, 2025<\/p>\n \n

Study: Solar and sheep create mutual benefits<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Research from Nittany Solar 1<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n \n \"\"<\/picture>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n

03 Apr, 2025<\/p>\n \n

Community hospital check presentation, job fair kick off Lightsource bp Jones City Energy Center in Jones County, Texas<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Community partnerships in Texas<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n \n \"\"<\/picture>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n

26 Mar, 2025<\/p>\n \n

Lightsource bp solar project in Louisiana goes online, driving US manufacturing and local economic growth\u00a0<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

180MW project in Louisiana<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n \n \"\"<\/picture>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n

19 Feb, 2025<\/p>\n \n

Video: Honeysuckle Solar drives American manufacturing close to home<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Indiana project includes locally manufactured parts <\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n \n \"\"<\/picture>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n

19 Feb, 2025<\/p>\n \n

10 Power Purchase Agreements signed and 1.3GW contracted in 2024<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Lightsource bp achieved a significant milestone in 2024 by securing 10 power purchase agreements (PPAs) totalling 1.3GW across Europe, the Americas and APAC.<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n \n \"\"<\/picture>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n

31 Jan, 2025<\/p>\n \n

Lightsource bp powers up 288-megawatt solar portfolio in Texas, strengthening grid resilience and supporting American manufacturing\u00a0<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Starr and Second Division Solar come online<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[92],"tags":[],"filter_by":[553],"filter_tags":[795,796],"class_list":["post-235678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized-us","filter_by-press-releases-us","filter_tags-construction-milestones","filter_tags-financing"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/235678","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=235678"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/235678\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":243204,"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/235678\/revisions\/243204"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=235678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=235678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=235678"},{"taxonomy":"filter_by","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/filter_by?post=235678"},{"taxonomy":"filter_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/filter_tags?post=235678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}