Peninsula Clean Energy has entered into its second 15-year agreement to procure emission-free solar and battery storage from a single project, a significant move toward the organization’s goal of offering customers 24/7 renewable electricity.
Peninsula reached a power purchase agreement with Arica Solar that includes 100 MW of solar and 50 MW (200 MWh) of four-hour lithium-ion battery storage that will allow solar power to be used even when the sun is not shining. The project, which will be developed and owned by Clearway Energy Group, is expected to be operational on or around April 1, 2024. Construction will utilize a project labor agreement with area unions.
It is the second solar + storage power purchase agreement Peninsula Clean Energy has reached, following a 15-year deal signed in September with Leeward Renewable Energy involving 102 MW of solar and 52 MW of battery storage from the Chaparral Solar Facility in Kern County.
The location of the Arica Solar project in Riverside County was chosen in consultation with environmental activists to avoid harm to area species and habitat.
“Reaching our goal of providing 24/7 renewable power to our customers is one of the most consequential actions we can take to help our region address a rapidly changing climate,” Peninsula Clean Energy CEO Jan Pepper said. “This project is another means to get there by producing and storing more emission-free solar power that can be used day or night, in the summer and winter.”
