A milestone in the largest solar and battery storage project in US history has been achieved in Mojave, California. Southern California entered a new era of clean energy in December 2024 with the commissioning of the Eland 1 Solar-plus-Storage Project, developed by global renewable energy firm Arevon Energy. This project requires no fossil fuels and is not only a breath of fresh air but also a testament to the viability of renewables on their own: A 384-megawatt solar farm is augmented with a 150-megawatt/600-megawatt-hour battery storage system. However, that’s not where the momentum ends, the Eland 2, the second phase, is in development and is scheduled for business by early 2025.
The Eland project: A $2 billion solar and battery dynamo
With more than $2 billion in total investment, the Eland project is among the largest solar and battery storage developments in the nation. On completion of both phases, Eland will have a combined capacity of 758 MW solar and 300MW/1,200MWh energy storage.
Combining solar panels with large-scale battery storage is imperative so that it can be available in peak hours. Historically, one of the biggest hurdles in harnessing solar energy has been its intermittency, producing power only when the sun is out.
This is where the Eland battery storage system comes in, because it can seamlessly store enough solar energy generated during the day and distribute it later according to demand, enabling solar energy to reliable as well as a competitive alternative to fossil fuels
Stronger communities with solar power: The impact of Eland on local communities
The Eland project has had a profound impact on the local economy as well as providing carbon-neutral energy to the energy grid. Roughly 325 jobs were created during the Eland 1 construction period, which supported workers and businesses in the Mojave region.
During this project, more than $18 million will be distributed to local governments to fund essential services like education, emergency responders, and local infrastructure. This commitment is about more than just cleaner power: it’s about promoting economic resilience for those communities that welcome these projects. From an environmental standpoint, Elands 1 and 2 are a critical step toward decreasing California’s (like this treasure under California’s desert) dependence on fossil fuels.
Ten years ago, renewable energy was having trouble keeping pace with more traditional power, like coal and natural gas. Today, solar energy is the most affordable new source of power, and paired with storage, it is prepared to outperform natural gas and coal in both price and performance. Arevon Energy solar-plus-storage solutions continue to drive the transition to a sustainable, carbon free tomorrow.
Eland 1 and beyond: The role of Arevon in the clean energy leadership of California
Eland 1 is the latest in a string of solar and storage projects from developer Arevon Energy. The company operates more than 4,500 megawatts of renewable energy projects in 17 states, with another six gigawatts in the works.
Arevon already operates more than 3000 megawatts (MW) in California, with another 700 MW under construction; these are highlighted by substantial developments such as the Viking Solar-plus-Storage Project and the Condor Energy Storage Project.
Arevon’s financing and long-term contracted revenue further showcase confidence in the scalability and predictability of the profitability of renewable energy. The Eland 1 power is contracted long-term to both the Southern California Public Power Authority, which delivers clean power to the LADWP, and Glendale Water and Power. This guarantees a constant and foreseeable power source for millions of citizens, cementing renewable energy as a foundation of California’s energy plan.
Arevon Energy is setting an example for the future of clean energy by combining utility-scale solar power with sophisticated battery storage, (like this photovoltaic monster that America has in secret). Solar-plus-storage systems are going to be integral to maintaining a stable, affordable, and sustainable energy grid with ongoing investments in technology and infrastructure. With Eland 2 arriving in early 2025, California will cement its leadership role in the clean energy revolution, one solar panel at a time.
