Overview
Folsom SP and CSP Sacramento is a 1.3 MW concentrated solar power (CSP) facility in California, USA, owned by Ecoplexus Inc. It contributes to the state's renewable energy portfolio under the Renewable Portfolio Standard.
Folsom SP and CSP Sacramento is a concentrated solar power (CSP) facility located in Folsom, California, United States. With a capacity of 1.3 MW, it is a small-scale solar thermal plant that uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight for electricity generation. The facility is owned by Ecoplexus Inc and is currently operational. The plant operates under California's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which mandates that 60% of electricity come from renewable sources by 2030. CSP technology, while less common than photovoltaics, offers the advantage of thermal energy storage for dispatchable power. The facility's small scale is typical for early CSP deployments in the region. Environmentally, the plant contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by displacing fossil fuel generation. Its location in the Sacramento Valley benefits from high solar irradiance. The facility supports grid stability and local renewable energy goals, aligning with California's ambitious clean energy targets.
Environmental context
Located in the Sacramento Valley, the facility benefits from high solar irradiance, making CSP viable. The region's Mediterranean climate with dry summers supports consistent solar generation. CSP plants require significant land use and water for cooling, but this small-scale facility minimizes local impact. It contributes to California's goal of reducing carbon emissions.
Frequently asked questions
Folsom SP and CSP Sacramento is located in Folsom, California, United States, at coordinates 38.687, -121.160.
The facility has a capacity of 1.3 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale concentrated solar power plant.
The plant is owned by Ecoplexus Inc, a renewable energy developer based in the United States.
California's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires utilities to source 60% of electricity from renewables by 2030, supporting CSP and other solar technologies.
CSP uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight to heat a fluid, which drives a turbine, while photovoltaics convert sunlight directly into electricity. CSP can include thermal storage for dispatchable power.