Project Description
A conditional use permit application has been filed in San Benito County for the construction and operation of a 945 acre solar farm that includes a 15 acre battery energy storage system (or BESS for short). The project known as the Allium Solar project, would be developed and operated by Allium Solar LLC (Longroad Energy Management), who specializes in renewable energy projects. The company is based in Boston with offices in San Francisco.
Under current zoning (Agriculture Productive), renewable energy generation is permitted with a conditional use permit, requiring both planning commission and board of supervisor approval. The project would not be served by public sewer or water infrastructure.
If built, the project would be capable of generating up to 110 megawatts (MW) of power, with the additional capacity of storing up to 8 hours of power at 110 megawatts. 110 MW is enough power to sustain a small city annually. The project has a lifespan of roughly 40 years, after which the project would be decommissioned and the land reclaimed or the project extended.
During construction the project would create approximately 200 jobs with roughly 15 permanent jobs during operation. If the conditional use permit is approved, the project could begin construction in 2027 with a 2029 operation date.
Project Location
The project sits just to the north of Highway 156 and east of Highway 25. For reference it is directly north of the Hollister Airport. The land the project sits on is currently owned by Property Reserves Inc. the real estate investment arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The land is mostly vacant used for grazing with the exception of a small farm. According to the application, the landowner does not see the site as highly productive for agriculture due to the presence of a parasite known as Orobanche (or more commonly known as “Broomrape”).
Project Components
The project includes various solar arrays that would occupy most of the site. In addition the project would include roughly a 15 acre battery storage facility and an onsite power substation. While not yet detailed in the conditional use permit application, the project would include a 6.5 mile tie in with the Crazy Horse – Hollister power line and an offsite switch station deeded to PG&E. Upgrades would also be included to the existing PG&E Hollister substation. Other additions include a 1.5 acre operations and maintenance facility and an onsite meteorological station.
All information for this post was obtained from the conditional use permit application.
The San Benito Blueprint 
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