SCH Number 2025090229

Project Info

Title

Revised Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration Use Permit 24-0009

Description

The project is a use permit for the construction, operation and maintenance of the Battle Creek Bottom Road Solar Project (“Project”) which is a proposed is a 3-MW (megawatt) private solar energy production facility to be located within a lease (“Project Area”) encompassing approximately 25 acres, or 7 percent, of a 376-acre parcel (“Project Site”). The balance of the 376-acre parcel will remain in its existing condition and under control by the property owner. The parcel is in the Eastern Upland Planning Area and within the RB General Plan designation. Most of the parcel is within the U zone district. A small section of the along the southwestern parcel boundary is within the R-R-T-BSM zone district. The Project will generate up to a total of up to 3 megawatts (MW) alternating current (AC) (3.9 MW direct current (DC)) of solar energy when complete. The Project will interconnect to Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) pre-existing electrical distribution system located adjacent to the Project Site. The power generated from this facility will be sold to PG&E through a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The Project will utilize solar modules and string inverters to convert the sun’s energy into usable AC power. Single-axis tracking technology will be utilized to allow the modules to efficiently track the sun throughout the day and maximize the efficiency of solar collection. The modules will be mounted on a steel racking system, which will be anchored into the ground using driven steel piers. The overall height of the array will be no more than 15 feet tall above ground surface. Other site improvements ground-mounted electrical equipment including a 250-kW inverter and medium voltage transformer, an underground medium voltage utility line, pole mounted infrastructure to facilitate interconnection, a chain link security fencing around the site equipment, and an improved driveway access to Wilson Hill Road. The Project design includes landscaping that would plant additional trees and shrubs to supplement and match existing native vegetation along Battle Creek Bottom Road in locations where the site has only partial vegetative screening It is estimated that construction of the facility would take six (6)-months to complete. The Project will require minimal regularly planned maintenance and will be operated remotely. The Project sponsor will enter an operations and maintenance contractor to provide proper operation and maintenance of the facility, and general maintenance of the Project Area. The Project Area will be fully restored to original conditions upon the closure of the facility and removal of project infrastructure.

2 documents in project