elisabeth solar
Yuma County, Arizona
Project Overview
Elisabeth Solar, LLC (“Elisabeth Solar”) is developing an approximately 270-megawatt (MW) solar facility on 1,411 acres of BLM land near Dateland, Arizona. The project will connect to both the Arizona Public Service’s and California Independent System Operator’s electric system via a 500kV switching station called Hoodoo Wash.
Elisabeth Solar is expected to operate for 30+ years, providing significant economic investment to the community, providing a substantial property tax base for the County and schools, and generating emission-free renewable energy. Elisabeth Solar is currently in the development phase, and construction is expected to start as early as spring of 2025, bringing an influx of new jobs to the community. The project is expected to begin operating by late 2026.
Project location
Timeline
Community Involvement
As a dedicated member of the community, Elisabeth Solar will work hard to earn the trust of our neighbors, stakeholders, and Tribes. Our involvement will go well beyond job creation, economic investment, and providing clean, renewable energy. We strive to build lasting relationships with civic leaders, property owners, and tribal communities. Throughout the life of every project we are involved with, we pride ourselves on being fully transparent in our communication and highly responsive to feedback.
About Us
Elisabeth Solar, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Leeward Renewable Energy, LLC. Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) is a high-growth renewable energy company building a sustainable future for all. The company owns and operates a portfolio of 31 wind, solar, and energy storage facilities across the United States, totaling approximately 3,000 megawatts of generating capacity and is actively developing and contracting a robust pipeline of new renewable energy projects. LRE is a portfolio company of OMERS Infrastructure, an investment arm of OMERS, one of the largest defined pension plans in Canada, with C$127.4 billion in net assets (as at June 30, 2023).
CLICK HERE for more information about Leeward Renewable Energy, LLC.
RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT
Responsible development is an ethos that runs deep at Leeward Energy and our subsidiary companies. We develop, own, and operate renewable generation assets for the long term, and are committed to leaving a positive impact on the communities where we operate. We achieve this by prioritizing our values of community partnership, sustainability, and safety.
PROJECT DOWNLOADS
Elisabeth Solar Fact Sheet Download Here
Solar frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What will the solar facility look like?
The Elisabeth Solar facility will primarily consist of rows of photovoltaic electric generating modules mounted to steel frames installed on driven steel posts with central inverters spaced throughout the site. The entire perimeter of the project site will be fenced for security and safety.
Will the solar facility produce glare or noise?
Solar panel technology has advanced significantly in recent years. The Elisabeth Solar solar panels are manufactured with tempered glass and anti-reflective coatings, minimizing glare. The moving mechanical parts of a solar facility produce minimal noise and are typically inaudible beyond the property boundaries based on the setbacks that are included in the facility’s design.
Is this project safe for the community and environment?
Yes. Solar power generation produces no air pollution or greenhouse gases and has a positive, indirect effect by reducing the use of other energy sources. When operational, Elisabeth Solar can produce enough energy to power the equivalent of 81,000 average Arizona homes without contributing carbon emissions. The solar panel materials are enclosed, solid, and don’t mix with water or vaporize into the air, meaning there is no threat of chemicals releasing into the environment during normal use. In addition, the panels are manufactured to endure all weather conditions, and are sealed shut to further ensure public safety.
Will the project harm sensitive wildlife or plants?
No, the project will take precautions to prevent and minimize impacts to sensitive plants and wildlife. Elisabeth Solar is located on federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and within the Agua Caliente Solar Energy Zone (SEZ). SEZs are areas that have been studied and analyzed, and designated by the BLM as well-suited for utility-scale production of solar energy in part because they are areas with minimal conflicts with sensitive species. The Agua Caliente SEZ boundaries were carefully designed to include significant buffers around the major washes, avoid and preserve migration corridors, and to avoid most cultural resource sites and lands with wilderness characteristics.
Elisabeth Solar is currently undergoing an environmental review during which any potential impacts to the environment, wildlife, or other resources will be identified and addressed through avoidance or mitigation. The project will take other measures during construction and operations to minimize impacts to plants and wildlife, such as using wildlife-friendly fencing, minimizing grading, and allowing the site to naturally revegetate.
Will the project impact use of Palomas Harquahala Road?
No, Elisabeth Solar is located entirely along the western side of the existing Agua Caliente Solar Project, and its boundaries do not overlap Palomas Harquahala Road.
Who will maintain the property and vegetation?
After construction, land will be stabilized allowing portions of the land to revegetate. Elisabeth Solar will be responsible for maintaining the solar facility property. We work diligently with consultants and local stakeholders to ensure proper ground cover, erosion and sediment control, and stormwater management. We also implement vegetation management plans and best management practices to promote the establishment of native vegetation and to ensure the proper mitigation of overgrowth and invasive plant species.
What happens at the end of the Project’s life?
At the end of the life of the Project, Elisabeth Solar will be responsible for removing equipment and restoring the site to its original use. The goal of the reclamation process is to facilitate the areas within the solar development to be natural and self-sustaining, with appropriate ecological resistance and resilience for the ecosystem. As part of the permitting review process, Elisabeth Solar submits a decommissioning plan to ensure that ample consideration and protections will be provided.
How will development of the solar facility affect my community?
Construction brings new employment opportunities, a large direct investment in the community, and local business generated from the purchase of food, fuel, accommodations, and other local supplies. During the construction period, there will be a relatively short-term increase in traffic volume and noise, typical of similar projects.
Once the Project is operational, daily traffic to and from the site will be minimal. Throughout its life, the Project will not burden Yuma County services and utilities; however, it will contribute substantial revenue to local tax authority and generate clean energy in Arizona.
How long will the solar facility be operational?
The average life of a solar facility is approximately 30 to 40 years, but with proper maintenance, it can last longer.
Questions, Comments, OR complaint resolution
If you have a question, concern, or complaint about any aspect of the Elisabeth Solar facility, you can call us at (928) 264-1720, email us at info@elisabethsolar.com, or complete the form below. If you choose to register your concern by phone, please be prepared to provide the information requested on this form.
