The February 9 Morning Report included a story regarding the Sweetwater Valley Civic Association’s vote to oppose Sweetwater Authority’s (Authority) proposed floating solar project on Sweetwater Reservoir. Voice of San Diego did not approach the Authority for comment or additional information on this story.
The Authority disagrees with the Sweetwater Valley Civic Association’s characterization of a lack of transparency on the floating solar project. Since September 2023, the Authority has provided the community with three open opportunities to ask questions and learn more about the floating solar project during its Community Advisory Work Group meetings. These meetings took place on September 26, 2023, October 26, 2023, and January 23, 2024, and were hosted at the Authority’s Richard A. Reynolds Groundwater Desalination Facility. The October and January meetings included presentations and status updates on the project, as well as the opportunity to ask Authority staff and Noria Energy staff questions.
Additionally, during Sweetwater Valley Civic Association’s November 1, 2023 meeting, the Authority’s Engineering staff gave a presentation on ongoing and upcoming projects, including the floating solar project.
The Authority’s Governing Board also received information and updates on the floating solar project in its regular meetings held on June 28, 2023, and September 27, 2023, and were provided a project update at the Board Meeting on February 14, 2024.
The Authority was not provided an opportunity to comment on the Sweetwater Valley Civic Association’s vote or characterization of a lack of transparency. The floating solar project is currently undergoing an environmental assessment as well as the San Diego Gas & Electric interconnection study. Once these assessments are complete, the Authority’s Governing Board will make a decision whether staff will continue to proceed with the project.
Given the particular community interest in this project, and in an effort to avoid misinformation about the project in these early stages, the Authority requests an opportunity to provide comment and/or information on future stories and updates regarding the floating solar project.