Renewable Energy developer, owner and operator Arevon Energy on Nov. 21 announced the start of operations at its Vikings Solar-plus-Storage Project in Imperial County, California, near Holtville. The $529 million project includes 157 MW of solar coupled with 150-MW/600-MWh of battery energy storage.
Vikings, considered one of the first utility-scale solar peaker plants in the U.S., shifts low-cost daytime solar energy to higher-cost peak demand periods, including late afternoons and evenings. Arevon said the installation’s battery storage system can rapidly adjust capacity in seconds, an essential component for addressing critical demand challenges. The project leverages vital provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, including providing clean energy and job creation. Vikings also is expected to disburse more than $17 million to local governments over the project’s lifespan, providing revenue for schools, first responders, and other local needs.
The ribbon-cutting event held this week celebrated the collaborative efforts of the project’s stakeholders and acknowledged the community support to further California’s renewable energy goals. Speaking at the event were Joe LaCava, San Diego City Council President Pro Tem and San Diego Community Power Board Chair; Byron Vosburg, Chief Commercial Officer at San Diego Community Power; Rosie Allegranza, Executive Director at the Holtville Chamber of Commerce; Kevin Smith, CEO at Arevon; George Hershman, Chief Executive Officer at SOLV Energy; and Jake Montgomery, Director of Development at Arevon.
“Vikings’ advanced design sets the standard for safe and reliable solar-plus-storage configurations,” Smith said. “The project incorporates solar panels, trackers, and batteries that showcase the growing strength of U.S. renewable energy manufacturing. Its completion marks a significant milestone for Arevon, as we continue to meet California’s clean energy needs while advancing energy security and independence nationwide.”
The project features products from key U.S. manufacturers, including: Megapack battery energy storage systems manufactured by Tesla in Lathrop, California, First Solar thin film photovoltaic solar panels, and Nextracker smart solar trackers. San Diego-headquartered SOLV Energy led the engineering, procurement, and construction activities.
San Diego Community Power is the project’s offtaker, and through a long-term agreement with Arevon, the energy from the Vikings Solar-plus-Storage Project will contribute to serving their nearly 1 million customer accounts. The companies have also executed a commercial agreement for Arevon’s 200-MW Avocet Energy Storage Project located in Carson, California, which is expected to start construction in early 2025.
“The Vikings Solar-plus-Storage Project directly supports San Diego Community Power’s investment in clean, reliable, and affordable energy to our customers,” LaCava said. “This partnership with Arevon reinforces our commitments to our ambitious renewable goals, while providing the environmental, community, and workforce benefits at the core of Community Power’s mission.”
Vikings, which was named after the Holtville High School mascot, provided scholarships for Holtville High School students to use for college tuition costs, which the Arevon team presented at an annual awards ceremony. “The Holtville Chamber of Commerce would like to thank Arevon for being a good neighbor to our community and a trusted member of the Holtville Chamber,” Allegranza said. “We look forward to our continued partnership and congratulate this project for reaching operational status. We wish them abundant success!”
Arevon is a nationwide renewable energy developer and a leader in California with nearly 2,500 MW in operation and more than 1,250 MW under construction.
—POWER edited this content, which was contributed by the media relations team representing Arevon.
