Intersect Power has announced the commercial operation of its Oberon Solar + Storage project in Riverside County, California.
The Oberon project, notable for its significant scale, produces 679 MWp/500 MWac of solar energy, sufficient to power over 207,000 homes annually. It also features a substantial 250 MW/1 GWh of co-located storage, built with batteries from Tesla’s battery facility in Lathrop, California.
The project aligns with the objectives of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), utilizing American-made equipment and ensuring the payment of prevailing wages. Key components of the project include First Solar modules produced in Ohio, NX Horizon smart solar trackers from Nextracker, and American-made structural steel.
The construction phase of the Oberon project created more than 930 skilled union jobs at its peak, in collaboration with California’s LiUNA Local 1184, IBEW Local 440, and others, emphasizing local hiring.
Intersect Power CEO Sheldon Kimber highlighted the Oberon project as a model in the clean energy industry. “The project is a case study in maximizing the benefits of clean energy projects by focusing on domestic supply chains and union labor. This approach ensures the rewards of the clean energy transition are broadly shared across America,” said Kimber.
The Oberon project is the first to be operational under the streamlined approach of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. This plan, a product of six years of collaborative effort, designates over 10 million acres for conservation and recreation in Southern California, while focusing renewable energy development in designated areas.
BLM California State Director Karen Mouritsen expressed the Bureau’s commitment to responsible energy development. “The completion of the Oberon Solar Project is a testament to our dedication to advancing renewable energy and prioritizing a healthier planet,” said Mouritsen.
The energy, Renewable Energy Credits, and Resource Adequacy generated by the Oberon project will be purchased by various offtakers, including Calpine Energy Solutions, Constellation, Ava Community Energy, Microsoft, and San Diego Community Power. This diverse group of purchasers underscores the project’s significant impact on the renewable energy landscape in California.
