The world’s largest solar and battery storage project is breaking ground in Fresno County, after the California Energy Commission approved the Darden Clean Energy Project. The facility will be constructed on 9,500 acres of fallowed farmland deemed no longer viable for crop production due to drought and degraded soil quality.
The commission unanimously authorized the project under the state’s new fast-track permitting program, which mandates completion of environmental review within 270 days unless significant modifications arise. It marked the first use of the streamlined process under Assembly Bill 205, legislation passed in 2022 to accelerate clean energy development.
The project will feature a 1,150-megawatt solar photovoltaic array with more than 3 million panels, paired with up to 1,150 MW of battery energy storage — capable of powering 850,000 homes for four hours. The battery storage component, using Tesla Megapack 2 XL units, will rank among the largest in the world.
The project proponents have stressed that it will have minimal impacts on wildlife and agricultural productivity while generating about 1,200 local jobs over the course of construction, which will last up to three years.
“California is moving faster than ever before to build the clean energy we need,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “With a record amount of clean energy capacity added last year, we’re creating jobs and supporting local communities — all while building a cleaner, more reliable power grid.”
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Commissioner Noemí Gallardo stressed that clean projects must draw local benefits as well and believes the project “exemplifies a community-focused approach that advances the state’s energy goals while creating benefits for local workers and residents.”
The land, owned by the Westlands Water District, has been fallowed for years due to a lack of irrigation and increasing salinity, making it ideal terrain under the state’s drive to repurpose farmland for renewable power generation without displacing food production.
Last year Newsom signed into law a measure to help Westlands expand its energy portfolio. AB 2661 boosts the district’s authority to own and operate renewable energy infrastructure. The water provider looks to invest in solar and battery storage as more acres go fallow.
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