GENERAL
What is the Sienna Solar Center?
The Sienna Solar Center is a renewable energy project under development in the Lucerne Valley area of San Bernardino County. Sienna is a “solar-plus-storage” project, meaning that it will pair solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with a battery system capable of producing 525 MWac of energy and energy storage, respectively.
The panels installed are essentially the same as those regularly installed on rooftops and parking lots, while adding battery storage allows the project to collect excess solar generation throughout the day for use later, generally during the night or on cloudy days.
Who is developing this project?
Sienna Solar Center is being developed by Avantus (formerly 8minute), a leading California-based solar energy and storage company with more than a decade of success across the state. This is one of over a dozen projects in California we have developed to date, our operating projects have already created thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities across the state and will provide $100+ million in local tax revenue throughout their lifetime.
What is the project area?
The project area under consideration comprises approximately 1,900 acres for the development of the proposed solar photovoltaic (PV) facility, a battery energy storage system (BESS), the project substation and collection system, among other associated infrastructure. Additionally, Avantus anticipates interconnection at the future site of the Southern California Edison (SCE) Calcite Substation.
Who owns the land?
Avantus maintains site control of privately-owned land associated with the proposed project, through a combination of option to purchase and option to lease agreements. Should the project be approved and constructed, we plan to exercise those options with the landowners, and purchase or enter into long-term leases, as applicable. You can view a site map here.
Why Lucerne Valley?
The location of the Sienna Solar Center is ideal for solar power plant development for a number of reasons, including access to a nearby substation and transmission lines, availability of sufficient land for purchase, a strong local workforce, and, of course, abundant sunshine.
Has the project been approved?
The Sienna Solar Center project application is currently with the San Bernardino County Planning Department.
When will construction begin? When would you expect it to be complete?
Construction could begin in 2024, and is expected to be complete as soon as 2025. Actual start and end dates of construction may vary depending on market factors including who the ultimate power buyer is.
Where will the generated power go? Who will use the electricity?
The proposed Southern California Edison (SCE) Calcite Substation will connect the Sienna Solar Center to California’s grid. SCE is one of the nation's largest electric utilities, providing electricity service to more than 15 million people in a 50,000 square-mile area of central, coastal and Southern California. The ultimate power buyer for Sienna Solar Center will be announced at a later date.
How will the Sienna Solar Center impact long-term electrical stability in the region?
Sienna Solar Center will advance grid stability and energy independence for California and the High Desert. Adding more electricity generation to the area is expected to benefit local residents by providing locally generated power to the electrical grid, thereby potentially reducing outage risks from elsewhere. Grid stability is further improved by the Battery Energy Storage System that will be associated with Sienna Solar Center, allowing the locally generated solar energy to be dispatched to the grid at optimal times.
Who can I contact with questions / concerns?
We value your feedback and engagement throughout the planning process. Please see our Contact page to find the representative best suited to address your area of interest.
SITING AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
Please see our Minimizing Impact page for additional information and resources.
Will this project alter the visual landscape of the community?
Please see the site map and before & after photos for a good sense of Sienna Solar Center’s location and limited visual impact. Based on feedback from County and local stakeholders, the original project site has been moved from its former location on the dry lakebed to its current location.
Will this project require new transmission lines?
Avantus makes every effort to utilize existing transmission lines when possible. This project will require a transmission line from the project site to the nearby SCE Calcite Substation.
Will Sienna Solar Center impact local wildlife?
Avantus has a positive track record with local, state, and federal wildlife agencies as well as with environmental organizations. Our past projects have garnered support from respected groups including the Sierra Club, Audubon California, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. We design each project to avoid or minimize potential impacts to threatened or endangered species and ensure proper mitigation measures are provided as appropriate.
Will the project deplete our local water supplies?
No, Sienna Solar Center will use minimal water. The biggest use of water occurs during construction to suppress any dust. After construction, water will be primarily used to remove dirt and dust from the solar panels, if necessary.
Will the project generate a lot of traffic or noise?
During construction, we expect our crew will generate some noise and add cars/trucks to certain roads, and we will aim to minimize those potential impacts.
As always, we will aim to be respectful of our neighbors and aim to keep construction noise to a minimum. All site activity is subject to and will comply with San Bernardino County noise ordinances.
Will the solar panels increase temperature in the community?
No, the solar panels will not increase temperatures in the surrounding community. According to research on similar projects, the Sienna project could increase air temperature by up to a few degrees immediately above or adjacent to panels during the day. However, any change in temperature quickly dissipates with distance from the panels and is not expected to impact nearby developed areas. Solar arrays consist of regular PV (photovoltaic) panels mounted on aluminum and steel support structures, capturing the sunlight that would normally fall to the ground surface. In addition, the project is proposed to have a secure perimeter fence to prevent anyone from getting close to the panels.
Will the project create additional dust?
Dust suppression will be used throughout the construction period to control dust and minimize the potential impacts on construction workers and the surrounding community, as mandated by County and State regulations.
During operations, the solar panels themselves act as a wind breaker, reducing wind speeds and thereby minimizing airborne dust. Because we are in the business of capturing sunlight, we are incentivized to make sure our panels are free from excessive dust.
PROJECT SAFETY
Will there be security in place on the Sienna Solar Project site?
Yes. The Sienna Solar Project will feature 24/7 security and monitoring to ensure the safety of the project and equipment. The project may include additional security measures, including warning reflective signage, controlled access points, security camera systems, and/or security guard vehicle patrols to deter trespassing and unauthorized activities.
Are solar panels toxic?
No. Today’s solar panels are designed to operate safely for decades. Panels are manufactured using hardware similar to smartphones, computers and televisions. Researchers from a number of national laboratories and universities have studied the soil and water near solar plants and found no levels of toxicity that present risks to nearby ecosystems.
Is this project a fire risk? What would happen in case of an emergency?
Avantus has a positive fire safety record. We take proactive steps to avoid, reduce, and mitigate potential fire risks in collaboration with national standards committees, Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories, and guidelines laid out by the National Fire Protection Association.
At the local level, we will work closely with San Bernardino County Fire Department officials throughout the design, construction, and testing phases to ensure Sienna Solar Center adheres to safety standards. Avantus and its partners will prepare and maintain a comprehensive emergency response plan and will train all first responders on emergency procedures for a solar power plant and energy storage system.
Our projects are monitored for any warning signs of potential issues and hazards. In the unlikely event of a fire, our crews are trained for response according to our emergency response plan.
Is the project safe for workers and local residents?
Safety is our priority. Like all of our projects, Sienna Solar Center will be built in accordance with safety precautions, and emergency systems will be implemented to safeguard our construction and operations crews.
Potentially hazardous materials at our project sites are limited to the minimal oils, fuels, and solvents required to operate machinery and clean equipment. Any hazardous materials and wastes would be managed, used, handled, stored, and transported in accordance with applicable local and state regulations.
Each Sienna project site will be surrounded by fencing and may be equipped with controlled access points, intrusion alarms, security cameras, and additional measures designed to prevent trespassing, vandalism, or unauthorized activities.
Will construction efforts cause an increase in Valley Fever?
As with any construction activity or natural phenomena that includes ground disturbance, construction workers are at a somewhat increased risk of potential exposure to airborne spores that can cause flu-like symptoms known as “Valley Fever.” We are committed to ensuring that all personnel receive the proper training, educational materials, and protective equipment to avoid or mitigate exposure, and we take multiple precautionary steps to reduce airborne dust from our project sites.
Avantus meets or exceeds all safety requirements to reduce the risk of Valley Fever to workers and the community. Over the past few years, many counties in California, including San Bernardino, have mandated strict dust mitigation plans and training specific to Valley Fever. None of Avantus’ operating projects in California have been connected to an outbreak.
Will the solar panels reflect light?
Solar panels are designed to absorb light for energy and Sienna Solar Center will utilize anti-reflective coating on all our solar panels to reduce light reflection. As a result, modern solar panels reflect as little as 2% of incoming sunlight.
Can solar panels be recycled?
Yes. Glass, aluminum, and high purity silicon, which make up the majority of solar panel materials, can be recovered during the recycling process and repurposed for new solar panels.
ECONOMICS AND EMPLOYMENT
Please see our Local Benefits page for additional information and resources.
Will this project cost me anything?
No. In fact, Sienna Solar Center is expected to bring economic benefits to the community. Throughout the construction process, Sienna is expected to provide a boost to local businesses including restaurants, markets, and grocers. Over the project’s lifetime, Sienna is expected to generate millions in local tax revenue that will go towards an array of services like schools, public safety and street services.
In the past, we have partnered with local communities to help with training opportunities and educational programs. We’ve also contributed funds and expertise toward prizes to encourage students, facilities benefiting local residents, food and toy drives, and more. With the Sienna project, we are working to replicate that level of partnership by working with local unions, organizations, and schools.
Please see our Local Benefits page for additional information.
Will my electricity bill go up as a result of Sienna Solar Center?
No. Local electricity rates are not expected to be directly impacted by this project.
How many construction jobs will it create? Will workers be hired locally?
Avantus anticipates creating approximately 500 well-paying jobs throughout the construction process, with local workers prioritized whenever possible. We plan to sign labor agreements with multiple unions and we expect to see strong union support for this effort.
How many permanent jobs will it create?
We expect to hire up to 15 full-time permanent employees in operations, security, and maintenance roles.
How can I inquire about a potential job?
Please visit this website periodically for updates about future job fairs, or connect with your local unions to learn more about requirements and training.
Do solar facilities decrease property values?
A wide body of existing research has demonstrated no significant impact on property values for residences located nearby solar facilities. Most assessors believe that large solar facilities would have minimal impact on property values. For residences both nearby and adjacent to solar projects across California, there has been no observed significant impact on property values.
OPERATIONS
What would happen if the project stopped working?
Avantus designs and engineers every project to mitigate technical challenges during our systems’ lifetime. Solar panels, battery storage, support structures, and electrical components are subject to testing and certification to ensure durability and safe performance in extreme heat, high winds, heavy rain, and even hailstorms. Furthermore, the minimal number of moving parts throughout the solar plant inherently lead to high reliability.
Sienna Solar Center’s plant performance will be monitored and controlled in real-time. In the event of damage or performance issues, Avantus and our project partners would work together to get the project back online. Not only is this the right thing to do, but it’s also crucial to our business – our projects are contracted to deliver a specified amount of energy, so it’s imperative that we keep them in operating condition.