Carlsbad wants to add a solar farm to the reservoir on the eastern edge of the city

At last Tuesday’s Carlsbad City Council meeting, Carlsbad approved a feasibility study for a solar farm at Maerkle Reservoir on the city’s east side.

It is part of Carlsbad’s five-year plan for environmental sustainability. As part of the Clean Energy Alliance, the city aims to have a 100% renewable energy supply by 2035.

“We are the only city in North County that has a certified habitat management plan,” said Carlsbad Intergovernmental Affairs Director Jason Haber. “And it is part of the city’s overall efforts to increase sustainability and protect the natural environment and natural resources. ”

Carlsbad was one of the first cities in the region with a climate action plan, he said. In recent years, the city has transitioned nearly 100 of its vehicles to hybrid and electric.

Courtesy of the City of Carlsbad

The 30-acre site at Maerkle Reservoir is adjacent to Oceanside and Vista, and a solar farm there could accommodate “approximately 6 to 8 megawatts of solar capacity,” Haber said.

That is enough to power 10,000 households. Because the land is owned by the Carlsbad Municipal Water District, the energy savings can offset water rates for Carlsbad residents.

But the plan is only the beginning stages. Haber said the city still needs to hire consultants to help with the feasibility assessment.

“We don’t have a lot of details at this point,” he said. “And we recognize that this is really an opportunity for the city to consider, but we need expertise and assistance in doing so.”

He hopes to have an advisor on board by the end of this year.

Building a solar park will not be cheap. The city will have to bear many upfront costs, but over the life of the project it could save Carlsbad millions, Haber said.