The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved a 1.1-GW solar and 4.6-GWh storage project for Fresno County that is the first project to be permitted under the state’s Opt-In Certification program.
The Oberon Solar + Storage project completed by Intersect Power in 2023.
Authorized under Assembly Bill 205, the Opt-In Certification program provides a consolidated state permitting option for eligible clean energy projects, supporting California’s transition to 100% zero-carbon retail electric sales by 2045, as required by Senate Bill 100. Under statute, the environmental review for a project must be completed within 270 days from the point the project application is deemed complete, unless significant project changes arise that require more time to review.
“California is moving faster than ever before to build the clean energy we need – now with the world’s largest solar and battery project,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “With a record amount of clean energy capacity added last year, we’re creating jobs and supporting local communities – all while building a cleaner, more reliable power grid.”
The Darden Clean Energy Project (DCEP) will be built on 9,500 acres of land in western Fresno County that is no longer able to support agricultural production. The project includes a 1,150-MW solar facility with approximately 3.1 million panels and up to 1,150 MW (4,600 MWh) of battery storage – enough to power 850,000 homes for four hours. The project owner is IP Darden I LLC, a subsidiary of Intersect Power.
Projects seeking approval through the Opt-In Certification program are required to provide community and economic benefits. The DCEP includes:
- $2 million in community investments over the next decade starting with a $320,000 commitment to Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, a nonprofit supporting crime victims, family wellness and civic engagement in rural communities.
- More than 2,000 prevailing-wage construction jobs to support the local workforce throughout the construction period, which will last from 18 months to three years.
- An estimated $169 million in economic benefits to the local area over the project’s lifetime, estimated at 35 years.
“Today’s clean energy projects must do more than just deliver megawatts. They should create value in the communities where they’re built,” said CEC Commissioner Noemí Gallardo. “This project exemplifies a community-focused approach that advances the state’s energy goals while creating benefits for local workers and residents.”
The Darden project builds on a series of clean energy records recently set in California. On three out of every five days last year, California’s main grid hit 100% clean energy for some portion of the day. That momentum continues in 2025. So far this year, the main grid has reached 100% clean energy on 138 of 151 days, or 91% of days through May. In 2024, the state added 7 GW of clean energy capacity to the grid – the largest single-year increase in state history – and added 25 GW of capacity over the past five years.
News item from CEC
” In 2024, the state added 7 GW of clean energy capacity to the grid – the largest single-year increase in state history – and added 25 GW of capacity over the past five years.”
The problem here is larger and looming ahead is the decommissioning of the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant. This plant generates about 17% of California’s baseload power. In August of 2020, California had rolling blackouts and it was determined California was shy 53 GWh of energy to keep the grid up and lights on. California may have some 32-35GWh of distributed energy storage, it still needs 30 GWh more energy storage to keep up with whats happening in California’s energy sector. As more BEVs are registered, California will need more energy generation, storage and dispatch capacity sooner than later. What Newsom is missing, is there are several older solar PV farms in Riverside County that could be upgraded AND very large Utility scale ESS facilities constructed on already approved project sites.
It’s much more than plunking down a bunch of panels to attach to the grid, but taking current assets to enhance these sites to include the latest/greatest solar PV cells and panels manufactured combined with large GWh energy storage on the solar PV farm site. Cordial take away, one can DO something many times until they get it right once OR do the project right once to reap the benefits without the consistent adders.