May 11, 2017   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Optimum Group President Participates in Talks at U.S. Department of Energy’s National Tribal Energy Summit in Washington, D.C.

Optimum Group LLC President Ali Sahabi addressed the growing need for collaboration and long-range master planning at the U.S. Department of Energy National Tribal Energy Summit this week in Washington, D.C.

Sahabi, a longtime professional with extensive experience in renewable energy and sustainable real estate development projects, addressed the benefits of strategic partnerships and long-range master planning to complete projects on time and on budget. Presenting his evidence at two conference roundtable events, he spoke on:

  • New Partnerships for Energy Project Finance
  • Distributed Generation, Microgrids and Multi-Purpose Infrastructure: Tribal Energy Case Studies

“Renewable energy projects on tribal lands are much more likely to be completed in a timely fashion when they are supported by collaborative partnerships and a long-range master plan,” Sahabi said.

Optimum Group recently completed a 1 MW solar power array for the Soboba Band of Luisen͂o Indians in California, securing two DOE grants that resulted in $1.5 million in federal funding for project. Because the company had previously completed a master plan of the 7,000-acre territory, the project received a favorable review because hydrology, endangered species, geotechnical issues and other potential obstacles had been identified and addressed.

“The master plan facilitated grant funding that may have been delayed had the solar array been subjected to unforeseen delays,” said Michael Castillo, tribal administrator for the Soboba Band of Luisen͂o Indians. “We appreciate the foresight taken to ensure that this project and others like it move forward according to plan.”

Optimum Group LLC managed the entire process as the solar project developer and owner’s representative. That work included planning and engineering, applications, securing the two grants from the U.S. Department of Energy and finalizing an aggregate net-energy metering agreement with Southern California Edison following Rule 21 of the California Public Utility Commission.

Scott Geary, managing partner of Stone Angel Capital, facilitated a panel on which Sahabi was a speaker. As a frequent consultant to the DOE and the National Conference of State Legislators, Geary found the content of the presentation extremely relevant to today’s renewable energy climate.

“Ali Sahabi offered a unique and valuable perspective to the topic of tribal energy projects,” Geary said. “His approach, using comprehensive due diligence in all of his projects, has proven to be extremely effective in promoting the successful implementation and funding of energy projects in tribal communities.”

ABOUT OPTIMUM GROUP

Optimum Group provides innovative real estate development and construction management services to government agencies, public and private companies as well as nonprofit organizations. Decades of experience provides comprehensive oversight for a wide variety of projects with intense attention to detail. Our highly qualified team of professionals has successfully planned, designed and built bridges, industrial buildings, high-rises, colleges, hospitals, notable mixed-use developments, renewable energy projects and award-winning green communities. Visit www.optimumgroupllc.com.