What was once an expanse of unused industrial rooftop in the City of Carson is now creating enormous value to the local community by generating 1.32-megawatts of renewable energy provided at reduced rates to approximately 500 local households.
The energy capacity created at this community solar facility will directly benefit customers through CPA’s Power Share program, which is designed to reduce energy costs for income-qualified households—especially renters and families who typically don’t have access to local renewable energy.
The approximately 10,000 households that participate in Power Share, receive electricity bill savings of 20%, with total savings potentially reaching 35–45% when combined with bill assistance from programs such as California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) or Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA).
An event was held in late April to launch the new project. Civic leaders, elected officials and community stakeholders gathered in Carson to celebrate this significant Community Solar installation, including event speakers Clean Power Alliance CEO Ted Bardacke, Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes, Prologis West Region President Megan Creecy-Herman, IBEW Local 11 Business Development Manager Tommy Faavae, Prologis Vice President of Energy Solutions Natasha Keefer and the California Public Utilities Commission’s Director, Office of Electric Supply, Planning and Costs, Molly Sterkel.
“These savings provide critical relief for families disproportionately impacted by high energy bills,” said CPA CEO Ted Bardacke. “We are proud to help expand equitable access to renewable energy solutions that strengthen communities, lower costs and ensure Southern California’s clean energy future benefits everyone.”
This project was developed in partnership with industrial real estate company Prologis, highlighting how public-sector and private-sector collaboration can unlock new opportunities for community-focused clean energy.
The installation is one of 16 solar photovoltaic projects CPA has currently operating or in development, with Prologis serving as the developer for 10 of these projects totaling 23 megawatts of capacity. In addition to clean energy, these kinds of initiatives help foster pathways into well-paying, skilled jobs in the renewable energy industry and have already led to the creation of more than 160 local jobs.
Each project builds on a central goal: to ensure that communities historically left out of the clean energy economy can now share in its benefits.
“Projects like the Carson community solar installation show that community solar is not just viable, it’s evolving, expanding and delivering measurable results through competitive procurement that helps keep costs affordable for customers,” said Molly Sterkel, a director in the California Public Utilities Commission’s Energy Division. “The electricity generated by this community solar installation will help achieve California’s clean energy goals and deliver savings to customers who need it most.”
With every new installation, CPA is demonstrating that the clean energy future isn’t just about generating power; it’s about expanding access, lowering costs and building a system that works for everyone.
“This project is a powerful example of how collaboration between public agencies, private industry and community stakeholders can deliver meaningful results,” said City of Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes. “This program makes clean energy savings accessible to renters and working families who have too often been excluded from the benefits of the clean energy economy.”
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