Energy Wonders of The World: Edwards Sanborn Solar and Energy Project

The Edwards Sanborn Solar and Energy Storage project is a massive power hub sitting right on the edge of the Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert, one of the sunniest parts of the U.S. and a little less than 100 miles north of Los Angeles.

Placed in service in 2024, It is the largest integrated solar-and-battery project in the world. While its physical size is notable, with over 2 million panels covering roughly 4,600 acres (equivalent to 3,500 football fields), it's true breakthrough is the scale with which it makes solar power dispatchable, directly onto the grid.

Proof of Performance for Battery Storage

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With 120,720 suitcase-sized battery modules (each holding ~27 kWh), the facility efficiently 'banks' daytime energy for later use. On average, the project's 875 MW solar capacity generates enough electricity to power 238,000 homes annually.

However, its true strength lies in its storage: during critical evening hours when the grid is most strained, it can discharge enough power to support nearly 971,000 homes at once.

A Revolutionary Project for Hybrid Solar (Solar + Batteries)

The Edwards Sanborn project is revolutionary because it proves that when paired with massive storage, solar energy can be as reliable as a traditional power plant. Serving as a global blueprint, the facility demonstrates that excess sunlight can be 'banked' for later use rather than wasted, increasing the benefits of solar generation.