Coyote Valley Casino & Hotel Completes 2.23 MW Solar Carport System Projected to Save $450,000 Annually
Coyote Valley Casino & Hotel, located on the Coyote Valley Reservation in Redwood Valley, California, announces the completion of a 2.23-megawatt (MW) solar carport system designed to significantly cut energy costs and provide long-term protection against future price volatility. The newly installed system, which features 1,500 JA modules and 10 Chint Power inverters, is expected to generate approximately 3,472 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity annually – around 45% of the site’s energy use – delivering more than $450,000 in estimated first-year savings for the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, the owner of the complex.
The project includes a 1,411-kW solar carport installation across the casino’s parking areas, transforming existing parking space into a dual-purpose asset that generates onsite electricity while providing shaded parking for guests and staff. A second 817.5 kW system at the Coyote Valley Hotel supplies power to the adjacent Tribal Council offices, a convenience store, and wastewater treatment facility.
Development was led by Watthub Renewables, working in partnership with EPC contractor SunRenu Solar. The PPA was provided by Sunrock Distributed Generation with no upfront capital investment from the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians.
In partnership with the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Sunrock Distributed Generation will manage and operate the system for the next 30 years, selling all of the energy generated onsite to the customer at a discounted price compared to the cost of grid-supplied electricity. As part of the agreement, the system will be monitored and maintained under a long-term service arrangement, meaning the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians will benefit from reliable performance and ongoing cost savings.
“This project demonstrates how Sunrock can help turn energy costs into long-term economic value for local communities,” says Wilson Chang, CEO of Sunrock Distributed Generation. “The Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians is using solar to reduce utility exposure, strengthen operating resilience, and save more than $450,000 in the first year alone. Sunrock is proud to partner on a project that supports Tribal self-determination and results in lower energy costs, greater cost certainty, and a renewable energy asset that will deliver value for decades.”
“This solar project represents an important step toward a more sustainable future for our Tribe and our community,” comments Rachel Whetstone, CFO of the Coyote Valley Tribal Council. “By investing in renewable energy, we are reducing operating costs, protecting the environment, and demonstrating leadership in responsible development.”
John McDonnell, Principal of SunRenu Solar, says: “We are proud to have developed this project alongside Tribal leadership, the Department of Energy, Sunrock Distributed Generation and Watthub Renewables. This unique project offers more than 45% annual savings, with no upfront cost and no maintenance responsibility for the Tribe. It is a win-win-win-win for all involved.”
Project Snapshot
- Site: Coyote Valley Hotel and Casino – 455 Coyote Valley Blvd, Redwood Valley, CA 95470
- System size: 1,411 kW on casino + 817.5 kW on hotel
- Estimated annual production: 3.4 GWh
- Monitoring: Wattch
- Structure: Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) — zero upfront cost to Coyote Valley
- Bundled scope: Carport solar
- PPA provider / financier: Sunrock Distributed Generation
- Developer: Watthub Renewables
- EPC / builder: SunRenu Solar
Watthub Renewables | www.watthub.com
SunRenu Solar | www.sunrenu.com
Sunrock Distributed Generation | www.sunrockdg.com
