Southern Power will use Mitsubishi Power Americas and Powin energy storage systems on two California projects totaling 640 MWh. The 4-hour duration systems will be co-located with already installed solar projects. They likely represent some of the largest retrofits of solar + storage sites in North America to date.
The 205-MW Garland Solar Facility in Kern County will add 88 MW (352 MWh) of energy storage, and the 204-MW Tranquility Solar Facility in Fresno County will add 72 MW (288 MWh) of storage. Both energy storage additions should be completed before the end of 2021.
The energy storage projects will be owned in partnership with AIP Management and Global Atlantic Financial Group, both of which have existing ownership interests in the Garland and Tranquillity solar facilities that went into commercial operation in 2016. Southern Power operates the solar projects and will be responsible for operating the energy storage projects upon completion.
Geoff Brown, CEO of Powin, said, “We are pleased to continue our relationship with Mitsubishi Power and to have been selected as a trusted partner by Southern Power to provide BESS over the long-term for the Garland and Tranquility projects. This award highlights the fact that large-scale solar PV paired with energy storage is cost competitive.”
Tom Cornell, Senior Vice President of Mitsubishi Power’s NEXT said, “Mitsubishi Power is excited to leverage our network of capabilities in the Americas and globally to bring low-carbon solutions to Southern Power. These battery energy storage projects, which will use lithium-iron phosphate technology, fit within our vision to provide short- and long-term energy storage solutions that include lithium ion, hydrogen, and other emerging storage technologies.”
News item from Mitsubishi
