South Lake Solar and Project

PROJECT DESCRIPTION 1. INTRODUCTION The South Lake Solar and Energy Storage Project (referred to hereafter as the “Project”) is proposed by South Lake Solar, LLC (referred to hereafter as the “Applicant”) and includes solar generation, energy storage, and construction of associated ancillary facilities at a new solar energy facility in Fresno County, California.

The Applicant proposes to construct and operate the Project on approximately 585 acres to produce approximately 180,000 megawatt-hours of annually. The Project would be an up to 80- megawatt (MW) (AC) photovoltaic (PV) solar energy facility with associated on-site substation, inverters, fencing, roads, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. The proposed energy storage components would include an up to 80 MW AC maximum capacity energy storage (battery) system. The Project would also include a 70-kilovolt (kV) overhead generation tie line (gen-tie line), which would extend approximately 500 feet from the on-site substation to the adjacent existing Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) Five Points electrical substation located on the western side of South Lake Avenue.

For purposes of environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), based on the scope of the Project and the County’s understanding of the environmental resources and potential impacts to those resources, it is anticipated that preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) would be required.

1.1 PROJECT OBJECTIVES The Applicant’s primary objective is to generate renewable solar electricity utilizing proven technology, at a competitive cost, while minimizing environmental impact.

Specific Project objectives include:

 Construct an up to 80 MW AC PV solar energy facility that would generate approximately 180,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy annually, including the option for an additional up to 80 MW of energy storage, to satisfy anticipated power purchase agreement terms and facilitate progress toward achieving the State’s Renewable Portfolio Standards and Senate Bill 350 greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals;  Generate and transmit electricity at a competitive rate; and  Locate the proposed facility in close proximity to the existing PG&E electrical distribution system. 2. PROJECT LOCATION The Project site is located on approximately 585 acres of two parcels in the San Joaquin Valley of California, in southwestern Fresno County (Figure 1, Regional Map), approximately 30 miles southwest of the City of Fresno and 3.4 miles south–southwest of the unincorporated community of Five Points. The Project site encompasses a majority of Section 8, Township 18 South, Range 17 East, and the very western portion of Section 9, Township 18 South, Range 17 East, Mount Diablo Baseline and Meridian of the Westside and Harris Ranch, U.S. Geological Survey 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles at approximately latitude/longitude 36°22'43.96" N/120°8'50.93" W (Figure 2, Vicinity Map). The Project site is bordered to the north by West Paige Avenue and to the south by West Jeffrey Avenue, to the west by South Butte Avenue and to the east by South Lake Avenue. The proposed gen-tie line would extend

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Figure 1. Regional Map.

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Figure 2. Vicinity Map.

Page | 3 South Lake Solar and Energy Storage Project approximately 500 feet east from the Project site to the existing PG&E Five Points electrical substation located adjacent to the Project site on the eastern side of South Lake Avenue. 3. PROJECT LAND USE AND ZONING CHARACTERISTICS The Project site consists of land designated as Agriculture in the Fresno County General Plan and zoned AE-20 (Exclusive Agricultural, 20-acre minimum parcel size) pursuant to the Ordinance Code of the County of Fresno, Zoning Map. The Project site and surrounding properties are primarily composed of tilled croplands, although the Project site is only dry farmed. An existing irrigation restriction applies to properties in the vicinity, including the Project site, which limits on site agricultural operations to dry farming. The site is adjacent to the Westside and Whitney Point solar projects, which recently completed construction. Single-family residences, farm supply businesses, and other agricultural properties are concentrated along State Route 145 and South Butte Avenue north and west of the site. 4. PROPOSED PROJECT The Unclassified Conditional Use Permit (UCUP) allows the County to consider special uses that may be essential or desirable, but which are not allowed as a matter of right within a zoning district. Certain uses of land or types of businesses specified in the Fresno County Zoning Ordinance require a UCUP application. PV generation facilities may be permitted in any zoning district through the UCUP discretionary application process. The Project Applicant is seeking UCUP approvals to allow construction and operation of the Project on approximately 585 acres in the Exclusive Agricultural, 20-acre minimum parcel size zoning designation. 5. PROJECT COMPONENTS The Project consists of the following components:

 Solar energy generation system  On-site substation  Energy storage system  Gen-tie line  Ancillary facilities

5.1 SOLAR ENERGY GENERATION SYSTEM The Project includes up to an 80 MW solar power generating system. The approximately 585-acre site would house all structures, including solar panels, fixed-tilt or single-axis tracking support structures, inverters, SCADA, and interconnection facilities (on-site substation), all of which would be enclosed by a perimeter security fence. The proposed site plan is shown on Figure 3. Solar energy would be captured by PV panels mounted to a single-axis or fixed-tilt racking system (refer to Figure 3 for conceptual configuration of the arrays and Figure 4 for an elevation diagram illustrating the different tilt positions for a typical single-axis tilting array). The high-efficiency, commercially-available PV panels convert incoming sunlight to (DC) electrical energy. The panels are arranged in series to effectively increase output to approximately 1,500 volts. These series chains of panels are called “strings” in industry terms and provide the basic building block of power conversion in the solar array. The strings are combined in the solar field through an above- or below- DC collection system, and then further tied together at the inverter stations, where the energy is converted to AC and then stepped up to an intermediate voltage, typically 34.5 kV. The chosen PV panel would be either crystalline silicon or thin film and would be well suited for the environment due to their durability and reliability.

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Figure 3. Site Plan.

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Figure 4. Elevation Diagram for Typical Single-Axis Tilt Array.

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The racking system would be supported, when practical, by driven piers (piles) directly embedded into the ground, and would be parallel to the ground. Each rack would hold approximately 80 to 90 panels (depending on final configuration), and at its highest edge, would have a maximum height up to 12 feet above grade, depending on the dimensions of the chosen panel and racking technology. The minimum clearance from the lower edge of the panel to ground level would be approximately 18 to 24 inches, pending final design. The single-axis tracking system (if selected) would rotate slowly throughout the day at a range of +/- 60 degrees facing east to west to stay perpendicular to the incoming solar rays so that energy production would be optimized (refer to Figure 4 for an illustration of various array tilt positions for a typical single-axis tracking system).

The inverter stations would be up to 12 feet in height and perform three critical functions for the solar facility: (1) collect DC power in a central location, (2) convert the DC power into AC power, and (3) convert low-voltage AC power to medium-voltage AC power. The inverter stations are typically open-air. The stations consist of DC collection equipment, utility-scale inverters, and a low- to medium-voltage . The output power from the inverter stations is then fed to the AC collection system through an above- or below-ground collection system. This AC collection system would deliver the electricity to the on-site substation, where the voltage would be stepped up through a transformer to the interconnection voltage.

5.2 ON-SITE SUBSTATION The Project on-site substation would be the termination point of the collection system for 34.5 kV electricity. The output of the entire field would be passed through a final interconnection step-up transformer to convert it to the grid voltage at 70 kV. Additionally, the Project on-site substation would host the grid intertie safety equipment and required to interconnect to the high-voltage transmission system. The open-air, on-site substation would potentially be constructed on the eastern border of the solar array nearest to the PG&E Five Points substation located on the eastern side of South Lake Avenue. The footprint of the on-site substation would be approximately 150 feet by 150 feet. The Project on-site substation would consist of components up to 55 feet in height, and on-site feeders would be overhead lines constructed with 45-foot-tall and 60-foot-tall poles for the single and double circuits, respectively.

5.3 ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM Adjacent to the on-site substation, an energy storage system is proposed to provide a maximum capacity of 80 MW. The energy storage batteries would be housed in a structure or container boxes and would be located on approximately 3 acres of the Project site. The maximum height of the structure, boxes, or trailers would be up to 25 feet. If a structure is used, the batteries would be housed in racks (similar to computer racks) approximately 7 to 9 feet high, to allow efficient airflow between the batteries. The associated inverters, , and would be located immediately adjacent to the energy storage facilities on concrete pads outdoors.

The energy storage equipment would be enclosed in a structure or container boxes that would also have a fire rating in conformance with local fire authority and County standards. The energy storage facilities would also have heating, ventilation, and air conditioning in areas with batteries to maintain energy efficiency. Power to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning and lighting, among others, would be provided through a connection to the on-site substation service transformer with connection lines installed above and/or below ground. The proposed solar facility, including energy storage system, would be un- staffed and have remote operational control. Periodic inspections/maintenance would be performed as necessary.

5.4 GENERATION TIE LINE The energy from the solar energy generation and energy storage systems would be transported from the on-site substation to PG&E’s Five Points substation through a gen-tie line. The gen-tie line would extend

Page | 7 South Lake Solar and Energy Storage Project approximately 500 feet from the facility’s on-site substation to a new bay at PG&E’s substation (see Figure 3). The 70 kV gen-tie line would consist of one or two single-circuit structures, which could be constructed with up to 150-foot-tall wood, concrete, or steel poles. The number, composition, and height of the poles, as well as the type of conductor, would be finalized during detailed design. PG&E plans to use existing poles where possible and add an additional set of insulators to accommodate a second circuit from the Project.

5.5 ANCILLARY FACILITIES

Access Road The Project access roads would be approximately 20 feet wide and composed of compacted native material with an aggregate base. The Project access roads would connect to the similarly compacted aggregate base material access roads constructed for the Westside and Whitney Point solar projects (which generally follow the alignment for South Lake Avenue) at the northeastern corner of the site and at the gen-tie interconnection point, and would require the construction of approximately 200 feet of new compacted aggregate entrance road. Permanent land disturbance would be less than 0.5 acre for the Project access roads and gen-tie components.

Signage A small sign at the main entry to the Project would be installed. The sign would be no larger than 8 feet by 4 feet and would read “South Lake Solar and Energy Storage Project.” In addition, required safety signs identifying high voltage within the facility, as well as information for emergency services, would be installed on the fence near the entrance and at the gates off South Lake Avenue.

Perimeter Fence The perimeter of the Project site would be enclosed by an approximately 6-foot-tall chain-link fence topped with 1 foot of three-strand barbed wire. Access into the Project site would be provided through drive-through gates. The main purpose of the fence is to prevent unauthorized access to the site. The total height, above grade, of the fence would be approximately 7 feet.

Lighting Low-elevation (less than 14 feet tall), controlled security lighting would be installed at primary access gates and the on-site substation and at the entrances to the energy storage facilities. The lighting would only on when personnel enter the area (through either motion-sensor or manual activation switch). All safety and emergency services signs would be lit when the lights are on. The lighting would be shielded so the light is directed downwards. Electrical power to supply the access gate and lighting would be obtained from PG&E. Lighting would only be in areas where it is required for safety, security, or operations. All lighting would be directed on site and would include shielding as necessary to minimize illumination of the night sky or potential impacts to surrounding viewers. 6. PROJECT CONSTRUCTION Construction would be composed of the following activities:

 Perimeter fence installation  Site preparation and clearing/grading  Demolition of existing structures if necessary  Underground work (trenching)  Solar array installation  Gen-tie installation

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 Energy storage system installation  Testing and commissioning  Site cleanup and restoration Due to the fact that the Project site is fairly level, grading is expected to be minor to construct the Project. However, grading would occur for the construction of roads, inverter pads, and the substation/energy storage system. Grading activities are expected to be accomplished with scrapers, motor graders, water trucks, dozers, and compaction equipment. The PV modules would be off-loaded and installed using small cranes, boom trucks, forklifts, rubber-tired loaders, rubber-tired backhoes, and other small- to medium-sized construction equipment as needed. Construction equipment would be delivered to the site on “low-bed” trucks unless the equipment can be driven to the site (e.g., boom trucks). It is estimated that there would be approximately 35 pieces of construction equipment on site each month.

Vegetation on the site would be modified only where necessary. Vegetation would be removed where gravel roads would be constructed, where fill would be placed from grading operations, where structures are to be constructed, and where transmission pole and tracking support structure foundations would be installed (if necessary). At locations where transmission pole and tracking support structures foundations would be installed, minor cuts may be required where the foundations would be driven. Minor earthwork would also occur to install access roads and transmission line maintenance roads. The surface of the roads would be at-grade to allow any water to sheet flow across the site as it currently does.

6.1 CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE This Project is anticipated to be built over approximately 10 months, starting with perimeter fence installation and ending with testing and commissioning of the facility. It is anticipated that the work would be completed in 8- to 10-hour shifts, with a total of five shifts per week (Monday through Friday). Overtime and weekend work would be used only as necessary to meet scheduled milestones or accelerate schedule and would comply with all applicable California labor laws and the Fresno County Noise Control Ordinance (Fresno County Code Chapter 8.40). Primary construction activities and durations are presented in Table 1. The activities shown in Table 1 would overlap in certain phases, and all are expected to occur within the estimated 10-month construction duration.

Table 1. Proposed Project Construction Duration, Equipment, and Workers by Activity.

ACTIVITY DURATION EQUIPMENT PIECES DAILY WORKERS PERIMETER FENCE INSTALLATION 2 months Skid loader with 1 Maximum = 325 auger attachment Average = 195 4x4 forklift 1 Flatbed truck 1 SITE PREPARATION AND CLEARING/GRADING 1.5 months Water truck – 3 3 axles Grader 2 Bulldozer 1 Scraper 1 10-ton roller 1 Sheepsfoot roller 1 Tractor (with mower 1 attachment)

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ACTIVITY DURATION EQUIPMENT PIECES DAILY WORKERS DEMOLITION OF EXISTING STRUCTURES 2 weeks Backhoe with 1 breaker Excavator with 1 thumb 10-cubic-yard dump 4 truck Front-end loader 1 UNDERGROUND WORK (TRENCHING) 3 months Excavator 2 Sheepsfoot roller 1 Water truck – 3 1 axles Aussie padder 1 (screening machine) 4x4 forklift 1 SOLAR ARRAY INSTALLATION 4 months 4x4 forklift 10 Small crane (80- 1 ton) All-terrain vehicle 26 Pile driver 5 Pickup truck 5 5 kw generator 3 GEN-TIE INSTALLATION 1 week Line truck (with 1 spool trailer) Boom truck (with 1 bucket) ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM INSTALLATION 7 months Backhoe 1 Small crane 1 Pickup truck 5 4x4 forklift 4 TESTING AND COMMISSIONING 3 months Pickup truck 4 SITE CLEANUP AND RESTORATION 1 month Grader 1 Skid loader 1

6.2 TRAFFIC The peak daily construction employee count would be approximately 275 with an average of 195 workers daily. As shown in Table 2, in addition to the 275 maximum daily workers traveling to the site, there would be up to 25 truck trips per day at peak construction activity (when the trenching and solar array installation phases overlap). A total of up to 313 trips per day are anticipated during peak construction activities, assuming a worst-case scenario whereby no carpooling occurs, though it is likely that carpooling would occur.

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Table 2. Project Construction Estimated Truck Activity.

TRUCK TYPE AVERAGE ON GROSS TRIPS/DAY DURATION SITE WEIGHT (POUNDS)

8,000-GALLON WATER TRUCK (WOULD STAY ON SITE) 2 80,000 loaded 0 7 months

20-CUBIC-YARD DUMP/BOTTOM DUMP TRUCK 3 80,000 loaded 4+ 2 months

PICKUP TRUCKS 20 8,000 3 10 months

PILE DRIVER 5 15,000 2 3 months

GRADER 2 54,000 2 3 months

BOOM TRUCK WITH BUCKET 1 42,000 2 >1 month

COMPONENT DELIVERY TRUCKS 1 42,000 25 2 months

UTILITY LINE SERVICE TRUCK 3 30,000 1 >1 month

Delivery of material and supplies would reach the site through on-road truck delivery via Interstate 5 to Fresno Coalinga Road. The majority of the truck deliveries would be for the solar array installation, as well as any aggregate material that may be required for road base. It is estimated that a total of up to 3,250 truck trips are required to complete the Project, with the aggregate trucks accounting for approximately 30 percent of this number. It is estimated that there would be an average of 348 truck deliveries per month (approximately 17 per workday), with a peak number of 500 deliveries per month (approximately 23 per workday), plus one other miscellaneous delivery, equating to a peak truck trip count of 24 per workday. These truck trips would be intentionally spread throughout the construction day to optimize construction efficiency, as is practical, by scheduling deliveries at predetermined times.

The heaviest delivery loads to the site would consist of the tracker or fixed-tilt structures, rock truck deliveries, and the delivery of the generator step-up transformer. These loads would typically be limited to a total weight of 80,000 pounds, with a cargo load of approximately 25 tons, or 50,000 pounds, of rock or tracker/fixed-tilt structures. The generator step-up transformer could be up to 160,000 pounds. Typically, rock is delivered in “bottom dump trucks” or ”transfer trucks” with six axles, and the tracker structures would be delivered on traditional flatbed trucks with a minimum of five axles. Low-bed transport trucks would carry the construction equipment to the site as needed. The size of the low-bed truck (axles for weight distribution) would depend on the equipment transported.

6.3 WATER USE Water consumption during construction is estimated to be approximately 100 acre-feet for dust suppression and earthwork over an approximately 10-month period. Construction water is available from an existing hydrant located on South Lake Avenue, near the proposed site entrance. A temporary pipe would need to be installed to get the water to the Project site. Operational water use is described in Section 7 below.

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6.4 ON-SITE ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION Existing electrical power distribution lines on site that serve existing facilities would be removed to allow for the Project development. New distribution lines would be needed to provide backup power to the solar and energy storage facilities for lighting and communications purposes. 7. PROJECT OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE The Project component would be unmanned, and no operation and maintenance building would be constructed. The operations would be monitored remotely through the SCADA system, and periodic inspections and maintenance activities would occur. During operations, solar panel washing is expected to be conducted periodically as performance testing, weather, and site conditions dictate. General labor (up to 10 individuals) may assist in the panel cleaning. Panel washing for a project of this size would require 20 days to complete per wash cycle. Water consumption is expected to be around 0.28 gallons per square yard of panel based on similar operations. Given an 80 MW AC plant, and assuming four cycles per year, the annual water use is expected to consume up to approximately 8 acre-feet of water. While it is anticipated that PV panels would only be washed once per year, the panels may need to be washed up to four times per year based on site conditions. Conditions that may necessitate increased wash requirements include unusual weather occurrences, forest fires, local air pollutants, and similar conditions. Therefore, the Project is requesting the use of up to 8 acre-feet per year of water for the explicit use of washing panels. Water trucks would be used to deliver water for panel washing operations from a local purveyor. The water used for panel washing operations would be clean water, with no chemicals added. 8. PROJECT DECOMMISSIONING The solar energy generation and energy storage systems would be recycled when the Project’s life is over. Most parts of the proposed systems are recyclable. Panels typically consist of silicon, glass, and a metal frame. Tracking systems (not counting the motors and control systems) typically consist of aluminum and steel (if used for the Project). Batteries include lithium-ion, which degrades but can be recycled and/or repurposed. Site structures would include steel or wood and concrete. All of these materials can be recycled. Concrete from deconstruction is to be recycled. Local recyclers are available. Metal and scrap equipment and parts that do not have free-flowing oil may be sent for salvage.

Fuel, hydraulic fluids, and oils would be transferred directly to a tanker truck from the respective tanks and vessels. Storage tanks and vessels would be rinsed and transferred to tanker trucks. Other items that are not feasible to remove at the point of generation, such as smaller containers lubricants, paints, thinners, solvents, cleaners, batteries, and sealants, would be kept in a locked utility building with integral secondary containment that meets Certified Unified Program Agencies and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act requirements for hazardous waste storage until removal for proper disposal and recycling. It is anticipated that all oils and batteries would be recycled at an appropriate facility. Site personnel involved in handling these materials would be trained to handle them properly. Containers used to store hazardous materials would be inspected regularly for any signs of failure or leakage. Additional procedures would be specified in the Hazardous Materials Business Plan Closure Plan submitted to the Certified Unified Program Agency. Transportation of the removed hazardous materials would comply with regulations for transporting hazardous materials, including those set by the California Department of Transportation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Highway Patrol, and California State Fire Marshal.

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