Calif. Uses New Regulatory-Easing Measure on Fresno Solar/Battery Project

A solar-battery venture slated for Fresno County has been fast-tracked by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), changing into the primary main clear power venture to maneuver ahead below the state’s new regulatory-easing program.

The Cornucopia Hybrid Mission is predicted to ship 300 MW of renewable photo voltaic power and 300 MW of battery storage. BayWa r.e. Americas, a U.S. subsidiary of a German-based renewable power firm, is constructing the venture. Development is predicted to start on the finish of 2027 and full by mid-2030, the corporate mentioned.

Earlier this month, Newsom licensed the venture by a scaled-back rules coverage, often known as the “Construct Extra Sooner” plan. The transfer, put in place as a part of the 2023 infrastructure bundle handed by the state legislature, streamlines the method for authorized challenges in opposition to eligible clear power and inexperienced housing initiatives
although the California Environmental High quality Act (CEQA).

With the certification, courts should determine CEQA challenges inside 270 days, saving months and even years of litigation delays after a venture has already handed environmental evaluate, whereas nonetheless permitting authorized challenges to be heard.

“By fast-tracking important initiatives, we’re creating good-paying jobs, reducing air pollution and constructing a cleaner, extra dependable power grid to serve Californians for generations,” Gov. Newsom mentioned in a press release.

Cornucopia’s photo voltaic power technology facility is deliberate to include photovoltaic photo voltaic modules, a substation and switching station, an power storage system, and two prefabricated buildings for use for upkeep and operation companies and for management companies. 

The photo voltaic modules can be linked to energy inverters to transform daylight into usable alternating present energy. The power would then be transferred from the inverters to a substation earlier than the ability is distributed to the native electrical grid. The substation is predicted to incorporate {an electrical} management constructing and would tie into the switching station by way of a brand new transmission line. 

The power storage system at Cornucopia shall be made up of battery storage comprising lithium-ion, movement or sodium sulfur batteries. That system can be situated adjoining to a new Pacific Fuel and Electrical switching station, with a footprint of about 12 acres in measurement. For the reason that web site will nonetheless be topic to sure agricultural land-use guidelines, the corporate mentioned sheep will graze on lands inside and surrounding the proposed photo voltaic photovoltaic panels and tools.

The mix of photo voltaic power and battery storage will allow the ability to offer carbon-free electrical energy to the grid throughout peak demand instances, together with night and nighttime hours when renewable technology is proscribed. When accomplished, the venture will be capable of energy as much as 300,000 properties, officers say.