A Solar Project Recommendation

Tuolumne County, CA – The Tuolumne County Planning Commission voted unanimously in favor of a large solar project proposed off O’Byrnes Ferry Road.

The company Ecoplexus Inc. out of the Bay Area is hoping to install 5,976 photovoltaic solar panels on over 14 acres owned by T-Five Ranches. The solar panels would be 3 ft. by 6 ft. in size. It would generate enough energy to fuel approximately 500 homes. All of the energy produced would be distributed to the PG&E utility grid.

Tuolumne County Community Resources Agency Director Bev Shane says, “Hearing support for the project and no opposition the Tuolumne County Planning Commission did recommend approval of the project which includes revising the Williamson Act agreement contract, executing a new contract, the creation of a solar use easement for a twenty minimum period and a conditional use permit to allow the construction of the solar power generating facility.”

Last year the state of California amended the Conservation Act, better known as the Williamson Act, to allow property owners to apply for solar easements on agriculture land. This project stemmed from that particular rule change.

The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors will have the final say on the project when they take it up at their November 6th meeting.

The T-Five Ranches property is located on the north side of O’Byrnes Ferry Road, directly east of the Sierra Conservation Center. The solar array would be about 450 ft. off the roadway.