PONDEROSA SOLAR + BATTERY STORAGE PROJECT

INVESTMENT AND SOLAR ENERGY IN NYE COUNTY

Ponderosa Solar + Battery Storage Project is a proposed approximately 350-megawatt (MW) facility with an up to 350 MW / 1,400 megawatt-hour (MWh) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) located on private land at the existing Ponderosa Dairy site in Amargosa Valley Nevada.

Rows of solar panels stretch across a desert landscape under a blue sky with scattered clouds, conveying a sense of clean energy and sustainability.

Children excitedly exit a yellow school bus. A girl in the foreground runs with a smile, while others behind her step down, conveying a joyful school day.

Local economic benefits

Over its 40-year life, the Ponderosa Solar + Battery Storage Project is expected to generate approximately $77 million in property tax revenue for Nye County taxing districts, along with an estimated $17 million in sales and use taxes during the roughly two-year construction period, providing additional sources of revenue to support local services and community priorities.

During the construction phase, the project will create about 400 jobs and approximately 10 highly skilled, long-term jobs for project operations.

The Ponderosa Solar + Battery Storage Project will also help local landowners diversify their income through land payments that can be reinvested in their farms and communities.

Ponderosa Solar + Battery Storage Project, by the numbers:

Orange square and a lightning bolt icon with the following text: Will generate up to 350 MW of electricity

Orange square and a lightning bolt inside a house icon with the following text: Will generate enough energy to power ~60,000 homes

Orange square and a clock icon with the following text: Project life span: 40 years from commercial

Orange square with a tree and sun icon with the following text: Proposed to include up to 2,155 acres of land

Orange square and a safety helmet icon with the following text: Approximately 400 construction jobs will be created

Orange square and a solar panel icon with the following text: Expected to be fully operational in 2030

Learn more about community benefits here

Location

Ponderosa Solar + Battery Storage Project will be located on previously disturbed land that has historically been used for dairy operations. This strategic location will reduce impacts to native vegetation, minimize site grading and avoid impacts to natural drainage features. The project is also expected to utilize existing water rights associated with the Ponderosa Dairy operations, with long-term water use anticipated to be substantially lower than agricultural uses, resulting in an overall reduction in water demand.

Overhead view of a Battery Energy Storage System site.

Battery storage systems

The project will include a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to support grid stability, enhance energy independence, and smooth intermittencies in energy generation. Advances in technology and regulations have made modern battery systems significantly safer than earlier technologies. Each battery enclosure is equipped with its own HVAC system to maintain optimal operating temperatures, along with fire detection and suppression systems designed to meet local and federal codes.

Project timeline

Keep up with important project dates

Project information

	
		Project Name
		Ponderosa Solar + Battery Storage Project
	
		Location
		Located in Amargosa, Nye County, Nevada
	
		Status
		Permitting
	
		Capacity
		The project is planned as a ~350 MW solar PV facility with an integrated 350 MW / 1,400 MWh BESS component, sited across approximately 2,155 acres of predominantly privately owned land.
	
		Construction
		First phase of construction will begin in Q2 2029.
	
		COD
		Q3 2030
	
		Real Estate
		Solar array is located on private land at the existing Ponderosa Dairy site and generation tie in line located on BLM lands.
	
		Interconnection 
		Valley Switch (Gridland West/Valley Electric)
	
		Environment
		
			Critical Issues Analysis completed
Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment completed
Biological and Cultural Inventory surveys in process
ALTA survey in process
Vegetation and habitat mapping consistent with Nye County and state resource guidance completed
Desert tortoise habitat assessment and agency coordination in process (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Department of Wildlife)
Special-status species and migratory bird evaluations in process
Wetlands and waters screening (including potential jurisdictional features) in process
Ongoing consultation with federal and state wildlife agencies to inform avoidance and minimization measures

		Discretionary Permitting
            Special Use Permit in Nye County
BLM Findings of No Significant Impact

		Job Creation
		Approximately 400 construction jobs

Project Name	Ponderosa Solar + Battery Storage Project
Location	Located in Amargosa, Nye County, Nevada
Status	Permitting
Capacity	The project is planned as a ~350 MW solar PV facility with an integrated 350 MW / 1,400 MWh BESS component, sited across approximately 2,155 acres of predominantly privately owned land.
Construction	First phase of construction will begin in Q2 2029.
COD	Q3 2030
Real Estate	Solar array is located on private land at the existing Ponderosa Dairy site and generation tie in line located on BLM lands.
Interconnection	Valley Switch (Gridland West/Valley Electric)
Environment	Critical Issues Analysis completed Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment completed Biological and Cultural Inventory surveys in process ALTA survey in process Vegetation and habitat mapping consistent with Nye County and state resource guidance completed Desert tortoise habitat assessment and agency coordination in process (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Department of Wildlife) Special-status species and migratory bird evaluations in process Wetlands and waters screening (including potential jurisdictional features) in process Ongoing consultation with federal and state wildlife agencies to inform avoidance and minimization measures
Discretionary Permitting	Special Use Permit in Nye County BLM Findings of No Significant Impact
Job Creation	Approximately 400 construction jobs

Project map

Map of the Ponderosa Solar + Battery project: Aerial view of a desert landscape with showing the project outline by a purple outline and with a labeled substation connected to the project by a green line.

Have questions about the Ponderosa Solar + Battery Storage project?

Email us at ponderosasolar@balancedrockpower.com

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