Fresno, California – California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Wednesday that he has officially certified the Cornucopia Hybrid Solar Project, a major renewable energy initiative in Fresno County, under the state’s judicial streamlining provision of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The move is set to accelerate the construction of 300 MW of solar power, along with 300 MW of battery storage, significantly reducing the typical legal delays that can stretch from three to five years to just 270 days.
Developed by BayWa r.e. Americas, the Cornucopia project is set to power around 300,000 homes in the region, bolstering California’s renewable energy infrastructure. The combination of solar power generation and battery storage will provide crucial backup electricity, especially during peak demand periods and nighttime hours when solar generation naturally dips.
“California’s future is clean energy, and this project will play a key role in helping us meet the state’s goals for reducing fossil fuel dependence,” Newsom’s office said in a statement. This innovative project goes a step further with its agrivoltaic approach, which involves integrating sheep grazing alongside the solar panels to manage vegetation. By combining renewable energy with agricultural practices, the Cornucopia project aligns with California’s broader environmental goals, making it a model of sustainable development…