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Agreement reached on Topaz solar farm

First Solar's subsidiary Topaz Solar Farms has reached an agreement with North County Watch and Carrizo Commons to dismiss their lawsuit against the 550-megawatt Topaz Solar Farm project that First Solar is developing in San Luis Obispo County.

Agreement has been reached on the Topaz solar farm. Image: First Solar

The North County Watch and Carrizo Commons have agreed to dismiss their lawsuits having objected to the project on grounds of the potential negative impacts on the local wildlife.

Topaz has committed to decommissioning and restoration of habitat at the project site after 35 years of operation. Topaz will also place a conservation easement on the land and provide an endowment for managing the land in perpetuity. In addition to providing a timeframe for decommissioning and restoration, the new agreement provides enhanced communication, collaboration, research and monitoring measures, including a Biological Working Group.

Combined with other off-site lands Topaz is conserving, this agreement will support the preservation of approximately 22,000 acres (approximately 89 square kilometers) to be protected in perpetuity following the end of project operations.