Date:
September 16, 2026 05
To: Board of Supervisors
Title
Approve the Starlight Solar Project to Allow for the Development of a Solar Energy Generation and Storage Facility and Certify the Environmental Impact Report (District: 2)
End
Overview
Today's requested action is for the Board of Supervisors (Board) to consider a Major Use Permit (MUP), Fire Protection and Mitigation Agreement, and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Starlight Solar Project (Project). The Project is a solar energy generation and storage facility which will generate up to 100 megawatts (MW) of solar power and include a 217.4 MW battery energy storage system (BESS). The Project will be developed on an approximately 588-acre site and includes an approximately 448-acre off-site biological open space easement. Electricity will be delivered through a generation-tie line to the existing San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) Boulevard Substation.
The Project site is located south of the community of Boulevard in the Mountain Empire Subregional Plan Area, approximately one mile south of Interstate 8 and Old Highway 80 and approximately one mile north of the United States/Mexico international border (Attachments H and I). The Project will include photovoltaic modules, inverters and transformers, an on-site collector substation, BESS equipment, internal access roads, and associated electrical infrastructure.
The Project will be constructed in two phases. Phase I includes 20 MW of solar generation and 17.4 MW of battery storage. Phase II includes 80 MW of solar generation and 200 MW of battery storage. Phase I is supported by a power purchase agreement (PPA) with SDG&E. A PPA is a long-term contract between a buyer and a power generator, where the buyer agrees to purchase electricity at a pre-agreed price for a set period. No power purchase agreement has been executed for Phase II. In response to community concerns, Planning & Development Services (PDS) recommended additional set...
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