County of Ventura and ForeFront Power Complete One of California’s Largest Solar Canopy-Plus-Storage Projects

The 7.7 MW solar energy and battery storage system offsets 53% of the Ventura County Government Center's energy use and will save the County more than $21 million over the project's lifetime

VENTURA, Calif., August 25, 2026--The County of Ventura has partnered with ForeFront Power, a leading developer and asset manager of commercial and industrial-scale solar energy and storage projects, to develop a 7.7 megawatt-DC (MW-DC) solar energy and storage expansion project at the Ventura County Government Center.

The 7.7 MW solar and storage project includes a 5.8 MW solar canopy parking system and a 1.9 MW battery storage component installed across Parking Lots "A" – "F" at the County Government Center, making it one of the largest solar canopy and energy storage projects in California. The new system will generate nearly 9 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of clean, renewable electricity each year—enough to power the annual electricity use of over 1,500 homes in the region—and will offset over half of the facility's energy consumption.

Although the County of Ventura had already secured renewable electricity through community choice energy procurement, this project provides a more economical path to achieving its sustainability objectives by producing and storing clean energy on-site, reducing costs, improving budget predictability, and increasing energy resilience.

The battery storage component complements the solar installation by storing excess solar electricity generated during the day and making it available when it is most valuable. During periods of high demand or peak electricity prices, the County can draw on stored energy rather than relying solely on the grid. This enables the County of Ventura to maximize the benefits of its on-site renewable energy resources, improve energy cost management, and enhance the overall resilience of operations at the Government Center.

"Every dollar we can save on operating costs helps us make the most of taxpayer funds," said Thomas Hunt, Director of the County of Ventura's General Services Agency. "This project is a great example of making a smart, long-term investment that lowers our energy costs, gives us more predictable expenses, and provides lasting value to our residents."

The project was developed at no upfront cost to the County through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with ForeFront Power. Under the terms of the PPA, ForeFront Power will develop, own, and maintain the solar energy and battery storage system for the County. ForeFront Power charges the County a fixed rate for electricity that is lower than the utility rate and locked in for the 20-year duration of the PPA. Over 20 years, the project is projected to save the County more than $21 million in energy costs. Meanwhile, ForeFront Power will continue to operate and maintain the system at no cost to the County.