On December 1, 2025, the City of Petaluma announced the completion of the Ellis Creek Floating Solar Project. The project is located at the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility. It features a floating solar array on a 17-acre treatment pond. This setup allows the city to generate electricity at its largest energy-consuming site without using extra land.
The floating solar system is expected to provide 98% of the facility’s electricity needs. This will reduce Petaluma’s use of grid power. The city aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions and reach carbon neutrality by 2030. The solar panels also help manage water by shading the pond, which reduces evaporation and limits algae growth.
The project was developed through an Energy Services Agreement with Ellis Creek Solar LLC, formed by White Pine Renewables. Under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement, the developer financed, built, and will maintain the $20 million system. The city did not pay upfront or ongoing costs. Petaluma will buy the electricity at a starting rate of $0.12 per kilowatt-hour, with a 2% annual increase. First-year savings are estimated at $448,000. Over 20 years, total savings could exceed $11.6 million…