Solar Star is a utility‑scale photovoltaic power plant located in the Mojave Desert of California, United States, spanning portions of Kern County and Los Angeles County. With an installed capacity of 579 megawatts (MW) AC, it is among the largest solar farms in the world.
Location and Site
The facility occupies approximately 3,200 acres (≈13 km²) of desert terrain near the communities of Rosamond and Lancaster. The site is situated on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and is accessible via State Route 14.
Development and Ownership
Solar Star was developed by a joint venture between SunPower Corporation and the investment firm BHE Renewable Energy Partners. Construction began in 2013, and the plant became fully operational in August 2015. The project was financed through a combination of private equity, tax equity, and debt, and it benefits from federal renewable energy tax incentives.
Technical Characteristics
- Technology: Fixed‑tilt, crystalline‑silicon photovoltaic modules.
- Modules: Approximately 9.2 million solar panels, each rated at roughly 315 watts.
- Inverters: Central inverters converting direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) for grid integration.
- Array Layout: The plant is divided into two main sections, Solar Star I (317 MW) and Solar Star II (262 MW), each with its own substation and transmission infrastructure.
Electrical Output and Performance
The plant produces an estimated 1.2 million MWh of electricity annually, sufficient to power roughly 255,000 average‑size U.S. homes. The capacity factor typically ranges between 23 % and 25 % under prevailing desert solar irradiance conditions.
Environmental Impact
Solar Star contributes to California’s renewable portfolio standards by providing clean, emissions‑free electricity. Environmental assessments conducted prior to construction identified potential impacts on desert wildlife, particularly the desert tortoise, and incorporated mitigation measures such as habitat preservation and fencing.
Transmission and Grid Integration
Electricity generated at Solar Star is transmitted via high‑voltage lines to a substation near the plant, where it is fed into the Southern California Edison (SCE) transmission network. Power purchase agreements (PPAs) have been executed with SCE, ensuring long‑term off‑take of the generated electricity.
Economic and Social Significance
The project created several hundred construction jobs and a smaller number of permanent operations and maintenance positions. It has also contributed property tax revenue to local jurisdictions and supported regional economic development initiatives.
References
- SunPower Corporation, “Solar Star Project Overview,” corporate press releases (2014‑2015).
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, “Utility‑Scale Solar Photovoltaic Plants – California,” data tables (2023).
- Bureau of Land Management, “Environmental Impact Statement for Solar Star,” public docket (2012).
Note: All data reflect publicly available sources as of the latest update in 2023.