Alisa Solar

The ultimate goal is to have a positive environmental impact overall. Both the project financing and permitting process include extensive reviews that reduce risks. LRE begins the development process with environmental studies to confirm site conditions. These studies inform project design and management plans for all aspects of the project. In addition, the industry is continually improving technology and management best practices. LRE has a company culture that focuses on reducing risks and increasing safety and is committed to being a good, long-term neighbor and contributor to the community. 

LRE will be responsible for maintaining the solar facility and property including access roads, buildings and energy infrastructure. We implement vegetation and biodiversity management practices to promote the establishment of native vegetation and reduce invasive plant species and typically include pollinator-friendly seed mixes. On some projects, we partner with shepherds to manage vegetation, while others use mechanical mowing to reduce fire and operations risk.

Solar panel technology has advanced significantly in recent years. LRE typically uses thin-film solar with tempered glass and anti-reflective coatings, minimizing glare. The moving mechanical parts of a solar facility produce minimal noise and are typically inaudible beyond the property boundaries based on the setbacks that are included in the facility’s design.

The project design will include several wildlife management features requested by local community members and in consultation with relevant authorities.  In addition, LRE is committed to implementing land stewardship best practices with vegetation and biodiversity management plans.

The average life of a solar facility is approximately 30 to 40 years, but with proper maintenance, it can last longer. Many projects may also be “repowered” to extend the productive life of the project. This includes upgrading existing components to improve performance or increase capacity, which requires additional reviews and permits. At the end of the life of the project, the Alisa Solar project will be responsible for removing equipment and restoring the site.

We expect the Alisa 2 construction schedule to last 22 months. The number of construction jobs will be in the hundreds with a handful of permanent roles for operations and maintenance. Exact figures will be determined by final designs and construction plans.

The project will interconnect to the Arizona Public Service (APS) transmission system. Power generated by the project will first help meet electricity needs in Yuma County and nearby communities, supporting local reliability and energy security. The APS system is part of the broader Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) network, which is an interconnected grid that links utilities, independent power producers, and customers across multiple western states. Because of this regional connection, energy from the project can also flow throughout the western power market and may serve out-of-state customers via power purchase agreements (PPAs).