Hellman Solar PV Electrical System Project

The Hellman Solar PV Electrical System Project, managed by the City of Seal Beach, involves the installation and operation of a 1.5 megawatt fixed-tilt ground-mounted solar photovoltaic system at the Hellman Ranch Oil and Gas Production Facility located at 1 Pacific Coast Highway, Seal Beach, California. The system will cover approximately 2.66 acres and consists of three separate solar arrays featuring 56 solar tables and 3,100 solar panels. These panels will be installed facing south at a 10-degree fixed tilt angle and will feature anti-reflective coatings to minimize glare. The project is designed to interconnect with the facility's electrical infrastructure and operate in parallel with the utility grid to provide sustainable energy for facility operations. The project was approved on September 29, 2025, following an environmental review that determined no significant environmental effects. Key operational requirements include maintaining a 30-foot buffer from City waterlines and adhering to strict construction timelines to avoid bird nesting seasons, typically from February 1 through September 15. Environmental compliance measures include pre-construction burrowing owl surveys, the presence of a Native American monitor during ground disturbance, and adherence to SCAQMD Rule 403 regarding fugitive dust. Construction is estimated to take approximately 64 days, encompassing site preparation, support pile installation, equipment installation, and a final testing and commissioning phase. All project drawings are proprietary to Newport Power and are treated as confidential.