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Custom Solar Array Reservoir Covers for 1.73 MW Solar Project
What Was FCP Steel Fab’s Role in the 1.73 MW Solar Reservoir Cover Project?
Solar array reservoir covers fabricated by FCP Steel Fab provided the structural steel solution for two side-by-side water reservoirs at Farmers Irrigation Company in Santa Paula, California. Working with the project partners, FCP fabricated the approximately 110-foot by 600-foot reservoir cover structures that support rooftop solar arrays for the completed 1.73 MW renewable energy project.
Solar Array Reservoir Covers Project Details
Project Scope:
- End User: Farmers Irrigation Company
- Location: Santa Paula, California
- Project: 1.73 MW Solar Array Reservoir Covers Project
- FCP Role: Structural Steel Fabricator
- FCP Structure: Two Solar Array Reservoir Covers
- Approximate Size: 110′ × 600′ Each
- Application: Agricultural Water Infrastructure / Renewable Energy
Project Partners:
- REC Solar — Long-Term Solar System Owner & Operator
- Ventura Energy — Renewable Energy Project Developer
- Motive Energy — Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) Partner
- FCP Steel Fab — Structural Steel Fabricator for the Solar Array Reservoir Covers
Behind the Solar Project: The Structural Steel That Made It Possible
The completed 1.73 MW solar array reservoir covers project at Farmers Irrigation Company’s Santa Paula site was a collaboration involving REC Solar, Ventura Energy, and Motive Energy, with each organization bringing specialized renewable-energy capabilities to the project.
FCP Steel Fab served as the structural steel fabricator for the two approximately 110-foot by 600-foot solar reservoir cover structures. Working as part of the larger project team, FCP brought its custom steel fabrication experience to an unusual application combining large-scale agricultural water infrastructure with renewable energy.
The resulting structures allowed the newly constructed reservoir covers to become more than part of Farmers Irrigation Company’s water-system modernization—they also provided the structural platform for two rooftop solar arrays.
The Challenge: Two Massive Reservoir Covers Built to Support Solar Arrays
Farmers Irrigation Company has served agricultural operations throughout Ventura County since 1879. As part of a major infrastructure modernization effort, the company began transitioning its water-distribution system from gravity-fed canals and pipelines to a pressurized system designed to improve reliability, flexibility, and system control.
The modernization project included two large side-by-side water reservoirs at the company’s Santa Paula facility. Each reservoir measured approximately 110 feet wide by 600 feet long and required a new structural cover. But these would not be conventional reservoir covers. The structures also needed to provide the structural platform for rooftop solar arrays that would become part of the site’s renewable-energy system.
Together, the two solar array reservoir covers encompass approximately 132,000 square feet—more than three acres of structural coverage. The scale, specialized application, solar integration, constructability, schedule, project coordination, and cost created a challenging custom steel fabrication project. Material tariffs created unexpected cost pressures during the project, requiring flexibility and close coordination to keep the work moving forward.
The FCP Solution: Custom Structural Steel Reservoir Covers
FCP approached the project as a large-scale custom structural steel fabrication challenge. Working with the project team, FCP fabricated the steel reservoir cover structures around the requirements of the two approximately 110-foot by 600-foot reservoirs and the rooftop solar application.
Rather than a conventional building structure, these massive steel systems needed to serve a highly specialized infrastructure application while becoming the structural platform for solar arrays installed above the reservoirs.
FCP’s role was to turn the structural requirements into precision-fabricated steel components that could be successfully incorporated into the larger project. It is the type of project that reflects the thinking behind FCP’s creed: Creative Steel Solutions.
Working Through Cost and Project Challenges
Large and complex steel projects rarely move from concept through completion without changing conditions. During the Farmers Irrigation Company project, unprecedented material tariffs created additional cost pressure. FCP worked closely with Farmers Irrigation Company and the project team to manage those challenges while continuing to move the structural steel portion of the project forward.
According to Farmers Irrigation Company General Manager Barney Caudill, FCP demonstrated flexibility and a willingness to find practical solutions while remaining sensitive to the project’s budget and overall objectives.
The FCP team remained focused on delivering a high-quality finished product while working through the challenges that arose during the project. That responsiveness became an important part of Farmers Irrigation Company’s experience working with FCP.
The Result: Structural Steel Supporting a 1.73 MW Solar Project
Once the reservoir cover structures were completed, two rooftop solar arrays were installed as part of the 1.73 MW solar project at Farmers Irrigation Company’s Santa Paula facility.
The solar installation complements the company’s broader transition from gravity-fed water distribution to a modern pressurized system. Because pressurized water delivery requires additional energy, solar generation provides value as Farmers Irrigation Company modernizes its operations.
REC Solar and Ventura Energy completed the solar project, with Motive Energy serving as the EPC partner. REC Solar owns and operates the solar system under a 25-year power purchase agreement.
According to the project’s February 2026 announcement, the solar installation is designed to generate approximately $12 million in total energy value over its lifetime and deliver approximately $5 million in net savings that will help reduce operating costs for Farmers Irrigation Company’s member farms and agricultural businesses.
For FCP Steel Fab, the finished solar array reservoir covers project demonstrates the role custom structural steel fabrication can play behind the scenes of larger infrastructure and renewable-energy projects.
Two massive reservoir covers now serve as the structural foundation beneath rooftop solar arrays generating clean energy for a modernized agricultural water-delivery system.
What Does Farmers Irrigation Company Say About Working With FCP?
“Working with FCP was the right choice from the beginning. They developed an innovative solution for the challenging task of covering two side-by-side reservoirs, each approximately 110 by 600 feet, with covers supporting solar panels.
Barrett Hilzer and the entire FCP team were exceptional partners—professional, responsive, and focused on delivering a high-quality project on time and within budget. They worked closely with us to manage costs despite unprecedented material tariffs and consistently found practical solutions to keep the project moving.
We are extremely pleased with the finished product and would enthusiastically recommend FCP to anyone looking for an innovative, reliable, and committed partner.”
A Structural Steel Partner for Project Success
FCP Steel Fab partners with general contractors, EPC contractors, developers, engineers, architects, facility owners, municipalities, utilities, and construction professionals to deliver custom structural steel solutions for demanding projects.
The Farmers Irrigation Company solar array reservoir covers demonstrate the value of bringing an experienced steel fabricator into a complex project team. From coordinating structural requirements and fabrication to navigating material costs, schedules, and changing project conditions, FCP works collaboratively to help keep projects moving toward successful completion.
For more than four decades, FCP has supported commercial, industrial, infrastructure, manufacturing, renewable-energy, and specialty construction projects with custom steel fabrication, engineering, detailing, coatings, transportation, and field erection capabilities.
When a project demands more than standard steel fabrication, FCP brings the experience, responsiveness, and problem-solving approach needed to become a trusted partner from concept through completion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Array Reservoir Covers
What are solar array reservoir covers?
Solar array reservoir covers are structural systems designed to cover water-storage reservoirs while providing the structural support required for solar panels installed above. Depending on the application, the structures must account for reservoir dimensions, structural loads, site conditions, solar requirements, constructability, and other project-specific criteria.
Can structural steel reservoir covers support solar arrays?
Yes. Structural steel reservoir covers can be designed to accommodate rooftop solar arrays and associated structural loads. For the Farmers Irrigation Company project, two approximately 110-foot by 600-foot structural steel reservoir covers provide the platform supporting solar arrays associated with the site’s 1.73 MW renewable-energy system.
How large are the Farmers Irrigation Company solar array reservoir covers?
Each reservoir is approximately 110 feet wide by 600 feet long. Together, the two reservoir covers encompass approximately 132,000 square feet, or just over three acres.
What was FCP Steel Fab’s role in the project?
FCP Steel Fab served as the structural steel fabricator for the two large reservoir cover structures supporting the rooftop solar arrays. FCP worked behind the scenes as part of the larger project team responsible for bringing the infrastructure and renewable-energy project together.
How large is the Farmers Irrigation Company solar project?
The completed renewable-energy project has a capacity of 1.73 MW and includes two rooftop solar arrays installed on newly constructed reservoir covers at Farmers Irrigation Company’s Santa Paula, California facility.
Why combine reservoir infrastructure with solar arrays?
The Farmers Irrigation Company project uses the reservoir cover structures as platforms for solar arrays, allowing the infrastructure to support the company’s broader water-system modernization and renewable-energy objectives within the same project footprint.
Does FCP fabricate structural steel for renewable-energy projects?
Yes. FCP Steel Fab provides custom structural steel fabrication for commercial, industrial, infrastructure, and specialty applications, including structures used to support renewable-energy projects. FCP is particularly well suited for complex projects requiring custom fabrication, project coordination, and experienced steel construction capabilities.
Where does FCP Steel Fab provide structural steel fabrication services?
FCP Steel Fab is based in Southern California and serves contractors, EPCs, developers, engineers, facility owners, municipalities, manufacturers, and construction professionals throughout California and the Western United States.
Thank You to Farmers Irrigation Company and the Project Team
FCP Steel Fab thanks Farmers Irrigation Company for the opportunity to contribute to this innovative infrastructure project and for the trust placed in the FCP team throughout the process.
FCP also recognizes REC Solar, Ventura Energy, Motive Energy, and the other project professionals whose collaboration brought the completed 1.73 MW solar project to life. We are proud to have worked behind the scenes providing the structural steel reservoir covers that helped make this unique combination of agricultural water infrastructure and renewable energy possible.
Read more about the completed Farmers Irrigation Company 1.73 MW solar project at Solar Power World.
Read more about solar canopies in the Southwest at Water Education.
Need a Custom Structural Steel Solution for a Challenging Project?
FCP Steel Fab partners with contractors, EPCs, developers, engineers, and project teams to fabricate custom structural steel solutions for demanding commercial, industrial, infrastructure, and renewable-energy applications.
Have drawings, specifications, or a challenging project concept? Send FCP your project details. Our team will review your application and provide a competitive project proposal built around your project’s requirements.
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