WOODLAND, CA – January 23, 2024 – Clean energy leader Enel North America and Bayer today announced the completion of a 2.7 MW solar and 1 MW / 2 MWh energy storage system at Bayer’s vegetable research and development site in Woodland, Calif. Located in a region historically prone to rolling blackouts and grid disruptions, the solar-plus-storage system will help increase Bayer’s energy and operational resilience, while also reducing its carbon footprint and demand on local energy infrastructure.

The solar system is expected to generate approximately 5,100 MWh of renewable energy each year, enough to cover about 70% of the Woodland site’s energy needs and avoid approximately 44,732 metric tons of carbon dioxide over the project’s lifetime. Any excess electricity generated during the day can be stored in the accompanying 1 MW / 2 MWh energy storage system for later use or shared back onto the local electrical grid. Stored electricity from the battery can be used during times of peak demand to minimize the amount of power drawn from the grid when energy rates are highest, contributing to lower energy costs for the site. The hybrid system is expected to generate significant energy cost savings for Bayer each year.

The project aligns with Bayer’s sustainability commitment of becoming carbon neutral by 2030, which includes converting 100% of purchased electricity to renewable energy sources.

“With this new installation, the Woodland site is the most onsite solar-powered operation within Bayer globally,” said Enrique Wehlen, Head of Sustainability, Safety, Health & Environments (SSHE) North America at Bayer.

The hybrid system will utilize Enel’s Distributed Energy Resources Optimization Software and its unique capabilities to maximize the value of the project across multiple applications, including on-bill savings, incentive programs and grid services.

“The growing prevalence of extreme weather and wildfires has underscored the need for more resilient energy solutions,” said Matt Barnes, Head of Distributed Energy Solutions at Enel North America. “This project will not only increase Bayer’s energy resilience, but it will also help reduce demand on often-stressed local energy infrastructure, benefiting all energy users in the region. We’re thrilled to work with a forward-thinking, innovative partner on this project and look forward to helping Bayer achieve its sustainability targets.”

Enel is the owner and operator of the solar and battery storage assets and has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Bayer, which will offtake 100% of the energy generated by the solar system.

In addition to the solar-plus-storage installation, Bayer has also signed an agreement with Enel’s e-mobility business to install eight electric vehicle chargers on-site in early 2024.

About Enel North America
Enel North America, part of the Enel Group, is a clean energy leader in North America and is working to electrify the economy and build a net-zero carbon future by decarbonizing energy supply, electrifying transportation, creating resilient grids, and promoting a just, equitable transition. Enel North America serves over 4,500 businesses, utilities, and cities through renewable power generation, demand response, distributed energy resources, smart e-mobility solutions and services, energy trading, advisory and consulting services, and more. Its installed portfolio includes over 9.7 GW of utility-scale renewable capacity, 690 MW / 1,036 MWh of utility-scale energy storage and 97 MW / 216 MWh of distributed energy storage capacity, 4.7 GW of demand response capacity, and 193,000 electric vehicle charging ports. Visit enelnorthamerica.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and YouTube to learn more.