Las Camas Solar Project
8 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2021080196
Lead Agency
County of Merced, Department of Community and Economic Development
Document Title
Las Camas Solar Project
Document Type
NOD - Notice of Determination
Received
Posted
2/13/2026
Document Description
EDPR CA Solar Park III LLC (project applicant) proposes to develop, own, and operate a 200-megawatt (MW) alternating current (AC) ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant located on vacant lands in unincorporated Merced County. The goal of the proposed project is to provide renewable solar energy to be sold to a load serving entity through a power contract, generating electrical power from a clean source that would supplement the energy capacity of the existing power grid, thereby increasing the stability and operability of the transmission system, as well as offsetting supplies from fossil fuel generating sources.
The applicant has filed applications for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) (CUP Application No. CUP 20-011& CUP25-016), General Plan Amendment (General Plan Amendment Application No. 20-001 & GPA25-003), and Zone Change (Zone Change Application No. ZC 21-002 & ZC25-003) with Merced County to allow for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed project, which entails the long-term generation of clean renewable energy from solar power.
The addendum to the March 2025 County-certified Supplemental EIR provides an analysis of the potential effects on the environment that could occur as a result of the County's approval of the general plan amendment, zone change, and conditional use permit authorizing constructing, operating, and decommissioning the project as modified from the project approved in March 2025. Project modifications consist of the addition of a 158-acre parcel (increasing the size of the approved project for a total of approximately 1,839 acres); redistribution of on-site solar equipment; increases in ground disturbance and site grading; changes to construction haul routes/access; elimination of water truck deliveries; extension and reduction in width of vegetated screen; and a battery fire suppression system.
Contact Information
Name
Ana Browning
Agency Name
Merced County
Job Title
Planner I
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Name
Joe Friedman
Agency Name
EDPR CA Solar Park III LLC
Job Title
Development Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Merced
Counties
Merced
Regions
Countywide
Cross Streets
Generally located at SW corner of I-5 and SR 152/33, 3 miles SW of Santa Nella
Total Acres
1839
Parcel #
Multiple
State Highways
SR 152, SR 33
Notice of Determination
Approving Agency
Merced County
Approving Agency Role
Lead Agency
Approved On
County Clerk
Merced
Final Environmental Document Available at
https://www.countyofmerced.com/414/Environmental-Documents
Determinations
(1) The project will have a significant impact on the environment
Yes
(2a) An Environmental Impact Report was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes
(2b) A Mitigated or a Negative Declaration was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(2c) An other document type was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes (EIR Addendum)
(3) Mitigated measures were made a condition of the approval of the project
Yes
(4) A mitigation reporting or monitoring plan was adopted for this project
Yes
(5) A Statement of Overriding Considerations was adopted for this project
Yes
(6) Findings were made pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes
Attachments
Notice of Determination
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