Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025101366
Public Agency
California State University Board of Trustees
Document Title
Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/28/2025
Document Description
The project proposes new solar photovoltaic equipment at several sites on the CSUEB campus, located at 25800 Carlos Bee Boulevard in the City of Hayward. New solar arrays will be installed on the rooftop of the existing, centrally located CORE building (Building #70) and new solar array canopies will be installed over existing surface parking lots G and H on the east side of the campus. The project would also involve installing solar array control equipment on concrete pads within existing developed areas of the campus and installing a new non-solar canopy over ADA parking spaces in the same parking lots where solar array canopies are proposed. A battery energy storage system will also be installed in the existing campus Switchgear House (Building #34), just west of the main campus entrance and north of Carlos Bee Boulevard. The project is anticipated to offset approximately 30 percent of the campus’ annual energy consumption.
Contact Information
Name
Daniel No
Agency Name
California State University, East Bay
Job Title
Director, Planning Design and Construction
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Hayward
Counties
Alameda
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area
Cross Streets
Carlos Bee Blvd and Hayward Blvd
Zip
94542
State Highways
Interstate 880
Airports
Hayward Executive Airport
Schools
Tennyson High School,
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
PRC § 21080.35
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project meets all criteria for a Class 1 categorical exemption because the project involves minor alterations to an existing concrete pad structure for the installation of solar array control equipment. The project also qualifies for a Class 3 categorical exemption pursuant to Sections 15301 and 15303 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Exceptions to the applicability of this categorical exemption, as specified in Section 15300.2(a) through (f) of the State CEQA Guidelines, do not apply to the project. Therefore, the proposed project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 and 15303.
The project also meets the requirements for statutory exemption from CEQA under PRC § 21080.35. Per the requirements, the solar equipment will be installed on an existing building and within existing parking lots, and the battery energy storage system will be installed in an existing campus building. All associated equipment will be located on the campus and in total will not occupy more than 500 square feet. Furthermore, the installation of the solar equipment will not trigger any listed exceptions to the statutory exemption.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Sections 15301 and 15303 CCR
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project meets all criteria for a Class 1 categorical exemption because the project involves minor alterations to an existing concrete pad structure for the installation of solar array control equipment. The project also qualifies for a Class 3 categorical exemption pursuant to Sections 15301 and 15303 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Exceptions to the applicability of this categorical exemption, as specified in Section 15300.2(a) through (f) of the State CEQA Guidelines, do not apply to the project. Therefore, the proposed project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 and 15303.