Energy Wonders of The World: Edwards Sanborn Solar and Energy Project
- Jan 16
- 2 min read
Updated: May 23
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), its true breakthrough is the scale with which it makes solar power dispatchable, directly onto the grid.
Proof of Performance for Battery Storage
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, providing energy into Los Angeles County, offering up a powerful example of how renewable energy can be sent from low-population density areas to population density areas. (Similar to New York's Champlain Husdon Power Express electric superhighway which provides energy from Quebec to New York City).
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.
While the Edwards & Sanborn pairing of solar generation and massive battery storage will send energy to the grid, it highlights an operational shift in which massive storage systems are transforming remote, intermittent arrays into grid assets that can directly support data-centers and industrial use.
Edwards Sanborn Solar and Energy Project Facts | |
Solar Generation | 875 MW |
Battery Capacity | 3.3 GWh |
Completion Date | Jan, 2024 |
Total Project Costs | $2.4 Billion |
Construction Time | 3 Years |
Maximum Discharge | Maximum Discharge of 1,300 MW |
Discharge Rating | Capable of supplying ~821 MW to 971 MW to the grid for 4 continuous hours |
Wattlytics helps portfolios leverage a data-first approach to reduce utility costs and optimize the timing of investments in advancing energy technologies.
