Clearway Energy Group, headquartered in San Francisco, has announced the start of commercial operations for its Rosamond South 1 project in Kern County, California.
The facility integrates 140 MW of solar capacity with 117 MW of battery energy storage, delivering power for more than 72,000 homes yearly. The project is backed by long-term power purchase agreements with MCE, the University of California, Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Utility, Eastside Power Authority, the City of Moreno Valley, and Constellation Energy.
Valerie Wooley, Senior Vice President of Origination at Clearway, said, “We’re pleased to bring Rosamond South online and continue to serve Kern County and the broader region with reliable, low-cost energy.”
Construction was led by McCarthy Building Companies Inc., employing more than 400 union laborers who contributed 350,000 injury-free hours.
During development, Clearway and McCarthy partnered with local organizations, including food banks and youth associations, to support community initiatives.
Dawn Weisz, MCE’s CEO, said, “This project is MCE’s second utility-scale solar plus storage project, marking another significant step in MCE’s 15-year acceleration toward a 100% renewable California.”
The 150 MW Rosamond South 1 project is now operational, contributing over $20 million in property tax revenue each year to Kern County.
Colin Mickle, Associate Director of Renewable Energy at the UC Office of the President, said, “We are thrilled to be a part of this project. The University of California is on a path to decarbonize all our campuses and medical locations, and Golden Fields is a key piece to achieving our goal.”