Desert Quartzite said it plans to invest $1 billion in a utility-scale solar project in California. The facility is expected to be in commercial operation by December 2024.
The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved the construction of a solar project by Desert Quartzite near Blythe, California. EDF Renewables North America will be responsible for developing 300 MW of solar plus 600 MWh of energy storage capacity for the project.
The Bureau of Land Management will continue to approve responsibly sited renewable energy projects to advance the use of public lands for clean energy production and meet the Biden-Harris Administration's goal of a net-zero economy by 2050," said Karen Mouritsen, director of the California Bureau of Land Management. The project will create well-paying union jobs, revitalize the local economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
The Desert Quartzite solar project is planned to cost $1 billion and will provide clean energy to approximately 120,000 homes. The facility is expected to create more than 900 construction jobs and begin commercial operations in December 2024.
Once completed, the project is likely to be among the top 10 utility-scale solar projects in the US developed between 2024 and 2025. The total capacity of these projects ranges from 300 MW to 690 MW.
Desert Quartzite plans to use 650 W (DC) BiHiKu7 double-sided monocrystalline PERC panels from Atlas Solar (Canadian Solar), SMA 4.2 MW inverters, Nextracker horizontal single-axis photovoltaic (PV) trackers and 150 MW/600 MWh battery systems.