Ground Mount Solar and Battery Project

Ground Mount Solar and Battery Project

The project involves the installation of a 4.55 megawatt direct current (MWdc) ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar energy system and associated electrical components on 15 acres on the main campus. A battery energy storage system (BESS) with an energy capacity of 11.7 megawatt-hours (MWh) would also be installed as part of the proposed project. The solar panel modules installed primarily on tracker mount systems with solar panels installed along the western portion of the project site as a south-facing fixed tilt system. Approximately 6,500 solar panels would be installed on approximately 1,275 posts. The project would also install a lithium-ion BESS on the eastern portion of the project site. The BESS would come in a prefabricated enclosure unit and have a fire rating in compliance with industry standards. Electrical components that would be installed as part of the project include inverters, an AC combiner, transformers, and a control panel. Conduit would connect the solar energy system to the electrical components within the project site. The proposed project would also include security features, including perimeter fencing, access gates, and lighting. The solar energy system would connect to the existing substation north of the project site, which would tie into the PG&E grid system via an underground 21-kilovolt, 825 linear foot power line. Construction of the proposed project would occur over an eight-month period between October 2026 and December 2027. Once operational, the solar energy system would be controlled, monitored, managed, and analyzed remotely using a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. Operation of the proposed project would be automated and unstaffed. Occasional vegetation management, periodic washing of the solar PV panels, and maintenance of the electrical components would be required to maintain safe operation and energy production.

Bakersfield

Kern

Citywide

California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4 (CDFW), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Department of Transportation, District 6 (DOT), California Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics (DOT), California Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation Planning (DOT), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Energy Commission, California Fish and Game Commission (CDFGC), California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Natural Resources Agency, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Fresno Region 5 (RWQCB), California State Lands Commission (SLC), Central Valley Flood Protection Board, Department of General Services (DGS), Office of Historic Preservation, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Rights, California Department of Conservation (DOC)

California Department of Conservation (DOC)

Power:Solar (dc(Solar))(Megawatts 4.55)

Site Plan

Aesthetics, Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Cumulative Effects, Energy, Flood Plain/Flooding, Geology/Soils, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Hazards & Hazardous Materials, Hydrology/Water Quality, Land Use/Planning, Mandatory Findings of Significance, Mineral Resources, Noise, Population/Housing, Public Services, Recreation, Schools/Universities, Solid Waste, Transportation, Tribal Cultural Resources, Utilities/Service Systems, Vegetation, Wetland/Riparian, Wildfire