Encino Reservoir Floating Solar Pilot Project

The Encino Reservoir Floating Solar Pilot Project, managed by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, involves the construction of a 5-megawatt floating solar panel array across 10 acres of the Encino Reservoir in Los Angeles, California. The project also includes a 30-kilowatt ground-mount photovoltaic system and a 5-megawatt, 20-megawatt hour iron-flow battery energy storage system. All electrical components, including inverters, transformers, and switchgear, will interconnect to an existing 34.5-kilowolt distribution line. The initiative aims to generate approximately 10,280 megawatt hours of renewable energy annually, which is estimated to power about 2,677 homes and reduce carbon emissions by 2,854 metric tons per year. The period of performance is scheduled from July 2026 to July 2027, beginning with the floating solar installation and concluding with the ground-mount solar and battery storage installation. The project has undergone environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, resulting in a Mitigated Negative Declaration that concludes environmental impacts will be less than significant with proper mitigation. Oversight and administration are led by David Norris of the Environmental Planning and Assessment department at LADWP. Technical compliance is governed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the Regional Water Quality Control Board to ensure air and water quality standards are maintained throughout the construction and operational phases.