The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved the 300MW/1200MWh Soda Mountain solar project in San Bernardino County.
The project is being developed by VC Renewables and will include a 4-hour, 300MW/1,200MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). 
Soda Mountain Solar is planned on approximately 2,670 acres of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management’s California Desert District, subject to final approval from the agency.  
Approval for the roughly US$700 million project was granted via the California Energy Commission’s Opt-In Certification programme, a streamlined route to fast-track clean energy projects. 
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“The Opt-In Certification program is designed to accelerate the development of critical clean energy infrastructure without compromising California’s rigorous environmental protections or commitment to meaningful community engagement,” said CEC chair David Hochschild. “Today’s approval shows we can move projects forward with urgency and efficiency while preserving the values that matter most to Californians.” 
See the full original version of this article on PV Tech.

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