November 14, 2024
Standard solar energy has acquired the 25 MWdc Windhub Solar B solar project from Balanced rock power (BRP), a developer specializing in large-scale renewable energy projects in the western United States.
The solar project, located in Kern County, California, and connected to the Windhub Substation, will provide renewable energy to Southern California Edison. This project aligns with the utility’s goal of delivering 100% carbon-free energy by 2045 and helps meet California’s growing demand for renewable electricity.
“This acquisition is another example of our successful partnerships with innovative developers like BRP, allowing us to efficiently bring high-quality solar projects to market,” said Mike Streams, Chief Development Officer of Standard Solar. “It also aligns with our strategy to acquire high-quality projects developed by utility-scale developers in the 20 to 75 MW range. Our expertise and interest in these types of acquisitions enable us to strategically expand our clean energy portfolio and deliver reliable, sustainable power to the electricity grid.”
Strategically located to address energy delivery challenges in the Mojave area, the 25 MWdc ground-mounted solar project will span 160 acres, with 112 acres dedicated to the solar panels. Some of the land will be retained to protect a native Joshua Tree forest, minimizing the environmental impact of the project and promoting local biodiversity. Once operational, Windhub Solar B is expected to generate approximately 56,674 MWh of renewable energy annually, providing clean electricity to the local grid.
With the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) predicting significant growth in peak power demands, the Windhub Solar B project is not only timely, but also essential to increasing the reliability of California’s electric grid. In addition to generating clean energy, the project is expected to create local construction jobs and provide long-term economic benefits to Kern County through increased tax revenues and community investments.
“Balanced Rock Power continues its recent successes by adding additional renewable energy capacity to the United States electric grid,” said John Knight, CEO of Balanced Rock Power. “We are pleased to be working with all our partners, including Standard Solar, to bring this project to fruition.”
The start of construction of the project is scheduled for the first half of 2025.
EOS Capital Advisors supported BRP in this acquisition by providing sell-side advisory services.
Tags: Standard Solar, utility scale