# Desert Quartzite

CAISO Solar Photovoltaic, Batteries · https://askthegrid.com/assets/facilities/desert-quartzite

Desert Quartzite is a hybrid solar and battery storage facility with 450 MW of EIA-reported total operating capacity and 600 MWh of reported storage energy capacity in Riverside County, California, registered as EIA Plant ID 59871. EDF Renewables North America is the current owner; Desert Quartzite LLC is the registered plant entity or operator. Project filings list 1,080,000 solar panels for the facility. in 2020. Commercial operation began in December 2024.

## Key facts

- Technology: Solar Photovoltaic, Batteries
- Power capacity: 450 MW
- Energy capacity: 600 MWh
- Operating status: operating

## Grid and market context

- ISO/RTO: CAISO
- Balancing authority: CAISO
- Substation: Colorado River Substation
- Point of interconnection: Colorado River Substation
- Transmission owner: Southern California Edison Company
- Interconnection voltage: 220 kV

## Source-backed facts

- Owner logo domain: edf-re.com — EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Announce Commercial Operation of Desert Quartzite - EDF power solutions North America · confidence: medium
- Identifiers: [{"value":"59871","system":"EIA plant ID"},{"value":"GEN01 (300 MW solar photovoltaic)","system":"EIA generator ID"},{"value":"GEN02 (150 MW battery)","system":"EIA generator ID"},{"value":"CAISO","system":"ISO/RTO market"},{"value":"1198","system":"CAISO queue position"},{"value":"1526","system":"CAISO queue position"},{"value":"QUARTZITE_1198_1526","system":"CAISO NQC group"},{"value":"ER21-2431-000","system":"FERC docket"},{"value":"6782","system":"CAISO service agreement"},{"value":"270","system":"SCE service agreement"}] — EIA - MBR | Index - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission · confidence: medium
- Identifiers: [{"value":"59871","system":"EIA plant ID"},{"value":"GEN01 (300 MW solar photovoltaic)","system":"EIA generator ID"},{"value":"GEN02 (150 MW battery)","system":"EIA generator ID"},{"value":"CAISO","system":"ISO/RTO market"},{"value":"1198","system":"CAISO queue position"},{"value":"1526","system":"CAISO queue position"},{"value":"QUARTZITE_1198_1526","system":"CAISO NQC group"},{"value":"ER21-2431-000","system":"FERC docket"},{"value":"6782","system":"CAISO service agreement"},{"value":"270","system":"SCE service agreement"}] — 2026 NQC List · confidence: medium
- Description: Desert Quartzite is an operational solar-plus-storage facility in Riverside County, California, near Blythe. The facility combines 300 MWac of solar generation with 150 MWac of four-hour battery storage, for 450 MW of combined capacity. It achieved operational status in December 2024, with electricity delivered to Clean Power Alliance under a 20-year power purchase agreement. — BLM announces Desert Quartzite Solar is fully operational | Bureau of Land Management · confidence: high
- Canonical name: Desert Quartzite — EIA - MBR | Index - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission · confidence: high
- Identifiers.4: {"value":"1198","system":"CAISO queue position"} — Source · confidence: medium
- Identifiers.5: {"value":"1526","system":"CAISO queue position"} — 2026 NQC List · confidence: high
- Identifiers.6: {"value":"QUARTZITE_1198_1526","system":"CAISO NQC group"} — federal energy regulatory commission · confidence: high
- Identifiers.7: {"value":"ER21-2431-000","system":"FERC docket"} — Source · confidence: high
- Identifiers.8: {"value":"6782","system":"CAISO service agreement"} — Source · confidence: high
- Parties.0: {"relationship":"Legal project entity and registered applicant","name":"Desert Quartzite, LLC","official_url":"https://desertquartzite.com/"} — EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Announce Commercial Operation of Desert Quartzite - EDF power solutions North America · confidence: medium
- Parties.1: {"relationship":"Joint owner, developer, and operator","name":"EDF Renewables North America","official_url":"https://www.edf-re.com/"} — EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Announce Commercial Operation of Desert Quartzite - EDF power solutions North America · confidence: high
- Parties.4: {"relationship":"Offtaker under power purchase agreement","name":"Clean Power Alliance","official_url":"https://cleanpoweralliance.org/"} — Source · confidence: high
- Parties.8: {"relationship":"Federal land manager and permitting agency","name":"Bureau of Land Management","official_url":"https://www.blm.gov/"} — Desert Quartzite: Unraveling Nature's Geological Mysteries · confidence: medium
- Parties.9: {"relationship":"Long-term debt financier","name":"KfW IPEX-Bank","official_url":"https://www.kfw-ipex-bank.de/"} — EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Close Financing for Desert Quartzite Solar and Storage Project - EDF power solutions North America · confidence: high
- Parties.10: {"relationship":"Long-term debt financier","name":"MUFG Bank, Ltd.","official_url":"https://www.mufg.com/"} — EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Close Financing for Desert Quartzite Solar and Storage Project - EDF power solutions North America · confidence: high
- Parties.11: {"relationship":"Long-term debt financier","name":"Export Development Canada","official_url":"https://www.edc.ca/"} — EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Close Financing for Desert Quartzite Solar and Storage Project - EDF power solutions North America · confidence: high
- Parties.12: {"relationship":"Long-term debt financier","name":"Korea Development Bank","official_url":"https://www.kdb.co.kr/"} — EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Close Financing for Desert Quartzite Solar and Storage Project - EDF power solutions North America · confidence: high
- Site acres: 2793 — Source · confidence: medium
- Product url: https://www.csisolar.com/bihiku7/ — Canadian Solar Launches HiKu7 and BiHiKu7 Modules of up to 665 W | Canadian Solar Inc. · confidence: medium
- Containers: 922 — Final Plan of Development · confidence: medium
- Modules or panels: 1080000 — Final Plan of Development · confidence: medium
- Product family: Canadian Solar BiHiKu7; SMA Sunny Central 4200 UP-US — Canadian Solar Launches HiKu7 and BiHiKu7 Modules of up to 665 W | Canadian Solar Inc. · confidence: medium
- Significance: Desert Quartzite is one of California’s largest solar-plus-storage complexes, combining 300 MWac of solar generation with 150 MWac of four-hour battery storage for 450 MW of combined renewable generation and storage on the southern California grid. — Source · confidence: medium
- Description: Desert Quartzite is an operational solar-plus-storage facility near Blythe in Riverside County, California, on federal land administered by the Bureau of Land Management. The project combines 375 MWdc/300 MWac of photovoltaic solar generation with a 150 MWac, four-hour battery energy storage system. It is jointly owned by EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure, with Desert Quartzite, LLC as the project entity. EDF Renewables purchased the project from First Solar Development in March 2020, construction began in February 2023, and the facility achieved operational status in December 2024. Electricity is delivered to Clean Power Alliance under a 20-year power purchase agreement. — EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Announce Commercial Operation of Desert Quartzite - EDF power solutions North America · confidence: medium
- Description: Desert Quartzite is an operational solar-plus-storage facility near Blythe in Riverside County, California, on federal land administered by the Bureau of Land Management. The project combines 375 MWdc/300 MWac of photovoltaic solar generation with a 150 MWac, four-hour battery energy storage system. It is jointly owned by EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure, with Desert Quartzite, LLC as the project entity. EDF Renewables purchased the project from First Solar Development in March 2020, construction began in February 2023, and the facility achieved operational status in December 2024. Electricity is delivered to Clean Power Alliance under a 20-year power purchase agreement. — Final Plan of Development · confidence: medium
- Description: Desert Quartzite is an operational solar-plus-storage facility near Blythe in Riverside County, California, on federal land administered by the Bureau of Land Management. The project combines 375 MWdc/300 MWac of photovoltaic solar generation with a 150 MWac, four-hour battery energy storage system. It is jointly owned by EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure, with Desert Quartzite, LLC as the project entity. EDF Renewables purchased the project from First Solar Development in March 2020, construction began in February 2023, and the facility achieved operational status in December 2024. Electricity is delivered to Clean Power Alliance under a 20-year power purchase agreement. — Power Sustainable invests in EDF Renewables North America solar and storage project | Power Sustainable · confidence: medium
- Quality notes: ["Capacity is reported using both DC and AC conventions: 375 MWdc/300 MWac for solar and 150 MWac for the battery system; the 450 MW combined figure should not be interpreted as 450 MW of solar generation.","The project’s January 2023 Plan of Development states that EDF Renewables purchased the project from First Solar Development in March 2020, while a December 2024 BLM release describes the acquisition as occurring in 2022. The March 2020 date is used here because it explicitly identifies both the seller and transaction month.","The September 2021 PPA announcement described an initial 15-year agreement, while the January 2023 Plan of Development records an amended PPA finalized in October 2022 and the commercial-operation announcement describes a 20-year agreement.","The April 2025 financing announcement names the debt providers but does not disclose a financing amount. No acquisition consideration for EDF’s purchase from First Solar or PSEI’s 50-percent investment was stated in the available transaction announcements; no retirement or repowering milestone is documented."] — EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Announce Commercial Operation of Desert Quartzite - EDF power solutions North America · confidence: medium
- Quality notes: ["Capacity is reported using both DC and AC conventions: 375 MWdc/300 MWac for solar and 150 MWac for the battery system; the 450 MW combined figure should not be interpreted as 450 MW of solar generation.","The project’s January 2023 Plan of Development states that EDF Renewables purchased the project from First Solar Development in March 2020, while a December 2024 BLM release describes the acquisition as occurring in 2022. The March 2020 date is used here because it explicitly identifies both the seller and transaction month.","The September 2021 PPA announcement described an initial 15-year agreement, while the January 2023 Plan of Development records an amended PPA finalized in October 2022 and the commercial-operation announcement describes a 20-year agreement.","The April 2025 financing announcement names the debt providers but does not disclose a financing amount. No acquisition consideration for EDF’s purchase from First Solar or PSEI’s 50-percent investment was stated in the available transaction announcements; no retirement or repowering milestone is documented."] — Final Plan of Development · confidence: medium
- Quality notes: ["Capacity is reported using both DC and AC conventions: 375 MWdc/300 MWac for solar and 150 MWac for the battery system; the 450 MW combined figure should not be interpreted as 450 MW of solar generation.","The project’s January 2023 Plan of Development states that EDF Renewables purchased the project from First Solar Development in March 2020, while a December 2024 BLM release describes the acquisition as occurring in 2022. The March 2020 date is used here because it explicitly identifies both the seller and transaction month.","The September 2021 PPA announcement described an initial 15-year agreement, while the January 2023 Plan of Development records an amended PPA finalized in October 2022 and the commercial-operation announcement describes a 20-year agreement.","The April 2025 financing announcement names the debt providers but does not disclose a financing amount. No acquisition consideration for EDF’s purchase from First Solar or PSEI’s 50-percent investment was stated in the available transaction announcements; no retirement or repowering milestone is documented."] — Energy Perspectives · confidence: medium
- Financing summary: On 2025-04-16, KfW IPEX-Bank, MUFG Bank, Export Development Canada, Korea Development Bank, and four other participating banks provided long-term debt financing for Desert Quartzite. The announcement does not disclose the debt amount. This was project financing and should not be treated as sale consideration or as the value of PSEI’s 50-percent investment, for which no amount was stated. — EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Close Financing for Desert Quartzite Solar and Storage Project - EDF power solutions North America · confidence: medium
- Financing summary: On 2025-04-16, KfW IPEX-Bank, MUFG Bank, Export Development Canada, Korea Development Bank, and four other participating banks provided long-term debt financing for Desert Quartzite. The announcement does not disclose the debt amount. This was project financing and should not be treated as sale consideration or as the value of PSEI’s 50-percent investment, for which no amount was stated. — Energy Perspectives · confidence: medium
- Financing summary: On 2025-04-16, KfW IPEX-Bank, MUFG Bank, Export Development Canada, Korea Development Bank, and four other participating banks provided long-term debt financing for Desert Quartzite. The announcement does not disclose the debt amount. This was project financing and should not be treated as sale consideration or as the value of PSEI’s 50-percent investment, for which no amount was stated. — Power Sustainable invests in EDF Renewables North America solar and storage project | Power Sustainable · confidence: medium
- Timeline: [{"event":"Project acquisition","date":"2020-03","detail":"EDF Renewables purchased the project from First Solar Development in March 2020."},{"event":"Initial power purchase agreement","date":"2021-09-02","detail":"EDF Renewables and Clean Power Alliance announced a long-term PPA for the solar-plus-storage project; the initial announcement described a 15-year term."},{"event":"PPA amendment and planned COD","date":"2022-10","detail":"The Plan of Development states that the amended PPA for Phases 1 and 2 was finalized in October 2022 and obligated EDF Renewables to a December 2024 commercial-operation date."},{"event":"Design modification","date":"2022","detail":"BLM reported that EDF Renewables modified the project for a more efficient layout and increased solar energy generation. The available material does not establish this as a separate capacity expansion."},{"event":"Construction start","date":"2023-02-07","detail":"BLM announced the start of construction under a Notice to Proceed for the 300 MW solar facility, including the on-site substation, switchyard, 230 kV generation-tie line, and operations and maintenance facility."},{"event":"Minority-stake investment","date":"2024-08-28","detail":"Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure announced the phase-one closing of an investment acquiring a 50-percent stake in the project, executed together with Potentia Renewables. The final investment phase was to close upon completion and commercial operation."},{"event":"Commercial operation","date":"2024-12","detail":"The jointly owned project achieved operational status and began delivering electricity to Clean Power Alliance. The operating configuration was 375 MWdc/300 MWac of solar plus 150 MWac of four-hour battery storage."},{"event":"Project financing close","date":"2025-04-16","detail":"EDF Renewables announced the close of long-term debt financing arranged by KfW IPEX-Bank with MUFG Bank, Export Development Canada, Korea Development Bank, and four other participating banks."}] — Final Plan of Development · confidence: medium
- Timeline: [{"event":"Project acquisition","date":"2020-03","detail":"EDF Renewables purchased the project from First Solar Development in March 2020."},{"event":"Initial power purchase agreement","date":"2021-09-02","detail":"EDF Renewables and Clean Power Alliance announced a long-term PPA for the solar-plus-storage project; the initial announcement described a 15-year term."},{"event":"PPA amendment and planned COD","date":"2022-10","detail":"The Plan of Development states that the amended PPA for Phases 1 and 2 was finalized in October 2022 and obligated EDF Renewables to a December 2024 commercial-operation date."},{"event":"Design modification","date":"2022","detail":"BLM reported that EDF Renewables modified the project for a more efficient layout and increased solar energy generation. The available material does not establish this as a separate capacity expansion."},{"event":"Construction start","date":"2023-02-07","detail":"BLM announced the start of construction under a Notice to Proceed for the 300 MW solar facility, including the on-site substation, switchyard, 230 kV generation-tie line, and operations and maintenance facility."},{"event":"Minority-stake investment","date":"2024-08-28","detail":"Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure announced the phase-one closing of an investment acquiring a 50-percent stake in the project, executed together with Potentia Renewables. The final investment phase was to close upon completion and commercial operation."},{"event":"Commercial operation","date":"2024-12","detail":"The jointly owned project achieved operational status and began delivering electricity to Clean Power Alliance. The operating configuration was 375 MWdc/300 MWac of solar plus 150 MWac of four-hour battery storage."},{"event":"Project financing close","date":"2025-04-16","detail":"EDF Renewables announced the close of long-term debt financing arranged by KfW IPEX-Bank with MUFG Bank, Export Development Canada, Korea Development Bank, and four other participating banks."}] — EDF Renewables North America and Clean Power... · confidence: medium
- Timeline: [{"event":"Project acquisition","date":"2020-03","detail":"EDF Renewables purchased the project from First Solar Development in March 2020."},{"event":"Initial power purchase agreement","date":"2021-09-02","detail":"EDF Renewables and Clean Power Alliance announced a long-term PPA for the solar-plus-storage project; the initial announcement described a 15-year term."},{"event":"PPA amendment and planned COD","date":"2022-10","detail":"The Plan of Development states that the amended PPA for Phases 1 and 2 was finalized in October 2022 and obligated EDF Renewables to a December 2024 commercial-operation date."},{"event":"Design modification","date":"2022","detail":"BLM reported that EDF Renewables modified the project for a more efficient layout and increased solar energy generation. The available material does not establish this as a separate capacity expansion."},{"event":"Construction start","date":"2023-02-07","detail":"BLM announced the start of construction under a Notice to Proceed for the 300 MW solar facility, including the on-site substation, switchyard, 230 kV generation-tie line, and operations and maintenance facility."},{"event":"Minority-stake investment","date":"2024-08-28","detail":"Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure announced the phase-one closing of an investment acquiring a 50-percent stake in the project, executed together with Potentia Renewables. The final investment phase was to close upon completion and commercial operation."},{"event":"Commercial operation","date":"2024-12","detail":"The jointly owned project achieved operational status and began delivering electricity to Clean Power Alliance. The operating configuration was 375 MWdc/300 MWac of solar plus 150 MWac of four-hour battery storage."},{"event":"Project financing close","date":"2025-04-16","detail":"EDF Renewables announced the close of long-term debt financing arranged by KfW IPEX-Bank with MUFG Bank, Export Development Canada, Korea Development Bank, and four other participating banks."}] — BLM announces Desert Quartzite Solar is fully operational | Bureau of Land Management · confidence: medium
- Timeline: [{"event":"Project acquisition","date":"2020-03","detail":"EDF Renewables purchased the project from First Solar Development in March 2020."},{"event":"Initial power purchase agreement","date":"2021-09-02","detail":"EDF Renewables and Clean Power Alliance announced a long-term PPA for the solar-plus-storage project; the initial announcement described a 15-year term."},{"event":"PPA amendment and planned COD","date":"2022-10","detail":"The Plan of Development states that the amended PPA for Phases 1 and 2 was finalized in October 2022 and obligated EDF Renewables to a December 2024 commercial-operation date."},{"event":"Design modification","date":"2022","detail":"BLM reported that EDF Renewables modified the project for a more efficient layout and increased solar energy generation. The available material does not establish this as a separate capacity expansion."},{"event":"Construction start","date":"2023-02-07","detail":"BLM announced the start of construction under a Notice to Proceed for the 300 MW solar facility, including the on-site substation, switchyard, 230 kV generation-tie line, and operations and maintenance facility."},{"event":"Minority-stake investment","date":"2024-08-28","detail":"Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure announced the phase-one closing of an investment acquiring a 50-percent stake in the project, executed together with Potentia Renewables. The final investment phase was to close upon completion and commercial operation."},{"event":"Commercial operation","date":"2024-12","detail":"The jointly owned project achieved operational status and began delivering electricity to Clean Power Alliance. The operating configuration was 375 MWdc/300 MWac of solar plus 150 MWac of four-hour battery storage."},{"event":"Project financing close","date":"2025-04-16","detail":"EDF Renewables announced the close of long-term debt financing arranged by KfW IPEX-Bank with MUFG Bank, Export Development Canada, Korea Development Bank, and four other participating banks."}] — BLM approves construction of Desert Quartzite solar project | Bureau of Land Management · confidence: medium
- Timeline: [{"event":"Project acquisition","date":"2020-03","detail":"EDF Renewables purchased the project from First Solar Development in March 2020."},{"event":"Initial power purchase agreement","date":"2021-09-02","detail":"EDF Renewables and Clean Power Alliance announced a long-term PPA for the solar-plus-storage project; the initial announcement described a 15-year term."},{"event":"PPA amendment and planned COD","date":"2022-10","detail":"The Plan of Development states that the amended PPA for Phases 1 and 2 was finalized in October 2022 and obligated EDF Renewables to a December 2024 commercial-operation date."},{"event":"Design modification","date":"2022","detail":"BLM reported that EDF Renewables modified the project for a more efficient layout and increased solar energy generation. The available material does not establish this as a separate capacity expansion."},{"event":"Construction start","date":"2023-02-07","detail":"BLM announced the start of construction under a Notice to Proceed for the 300 MW solar facility, including the on-site substation, switchyard, 230 kV generation-tie line, and operations and maintenance facility."},{"event":"Minority-stake investment","date":"2024-08-28","detail":"Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure announced the phase-one closing of an investment acquiring a 50-percent stake in the project, executed together with Potentia Renewables. The final investment phase was to close upon completion and commercial operation."},{"event":"Commercial operation","date":"2024-12","detail":"The jointly owned project achieved operational status and began delivering electricity to Clean Power Alliance. The operating configuration was 375 MWdc/300 MWac of solar plus 150 MWac of four-hour battery storage."},{"event":"Project financing close","date":"2025-04-16","detail":"EDF Renewables announced the close of long-term debt financing arranged by KfW IPEX-Bank with MUFG Bank, Export Development Canada, Korea Development Bank, and four other participating banks."}] — Power Sustainable invests in EDF Renewables North America solar and storage project | Power Sustainable · confidence: medium
- Timeline: [{"event":"Project acquisition","date":"2020-03","detail":"EDF Renewables purchased the project from First Solar Development in March 2020."},{"event":"Initial power purchase agreement","date":"2021-09-02","detail":"EDF Renewables and Clean Power Alliance announced a long-term PPA for the solar-plus-storage project; the initial announcement described a 15-year term."},{"event":"PPA amendment and planned COD","date":"2022-10","detail":"The Plan of Development states that the amended PPA for Phases 1 and 2 was finalized in October 2022 and obligated EDF Renewables to a December 2024 commercial-operation date."},{"event":"Design modification","date":"2022","detail":"BLM reported that EDF Renewables modified the project for a more efficient layout and increased solar energy generation. The available material does not establish this as a separate capacity expansion."},{"event":"Construction start","date":"2023-02-07","detail":"BLM announced the start of construction under a Notice to Proceed for the 300 MW solar facility, including the on-site substation, switchyard, 230 kV generation-tie line, and operations and maintenance facility."},{"event":"Minority-stake investment","date":"2024-08-28","detail":"Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure announced the phase-one closing of an investment acquiring a 50-percent stake in the project, executed together with Potentia Renewables. The final investment phase was to close upon completion and commercial operation."},{"event":"Commercial operation","date":"2024-12","detail":"The jointly owned project achieved operational status and began delivering electricity to Clean Power Alliance. The operating configuration was 375 MWdc/300 MWac of solar plus 150 MWac of four-hour battery storage."},{"event":"Project financing close","date":"2025-04-16","detail":"EDF Renewables announced the close of long-term debt financing arranged by KfW IPEX-Bank with MUFG Bank, Export Development Canada, Korea Development Bank, and four other participating banks."}] — EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Announce Commercial Operation of Desert Quartzite - EDF power solutions North America · confidence: medium
- Timeline: [{"event":"Project acquisition","date":"2020-03","detail":"EDF Renewables purchased the project from First Solar Development in March 2020."},{"event":"Initial power purchase agreement","date":"2021-09-02","detail":"EDF Renewables and Clean Power Alliance announced a long-term PPA for the solar-plus-storage project; the initial announcement described a 15-year term."},{"event":"PPA amendment and planned COD","date":"2022-10","detail":"The Plan of Development states that the amended PPA for Phases 1 and 2 was finalized in October 2022 and obligated EDF Renewables to a December 2024 commercial-operation date."},{"event":"Design modification","date":"2022","detail":"BLM reported that EDF Renewables modified the project for a more efficient layout and increased solar energy generation. The available material does not establish this as a separate capacity expansion."},{"event":"Construction start","date":"2023-02-07","detail":"BLM announced the start of construction under a Notice to Proceed for the 300 MW solar facility, including the on-site substation, switchyard, 230 kV generation-tie line, and operations and maintenance facility."},{"event":"Minority-stake investment","date":"2024-08-28","detail":"Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure announced the phase-one closing of an investment acquiring a 50-percent stake in the project, executed together with Potentia Renewables. The final investment phase was to close upon completion and commercial operation."},{"event":"Commercial operation","date":"2024-12","detail":"The jointly owned project achieved operational status and began delivering electricity to Clean Power Alliance. The operating configuration was 375 MWdc/300 MWac of solar plus 150 MWac of four-hour battery storage."},{"event":"Project financing close","date":"2025-04-16","detail":"EDF Renewables announced the close of long-term debt financing arranged by KfW IPEX-Bank with MUFG Bank, Export Development Canada, Korea Development Bank, and four other participating banks."}] — EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Close Financing for Desert Quartzite Solar and Storage Project - EDF power solutions North America · confidence: medium
- Quality notes.0: Capacity is reported using both DC and AC conventions: 375 MWdc/300 MWac for solar and 150 MWac for the battery system; the 450 MW combined figure should not be interpreted as 450 MW of solar generation. — Source · confidence: medium
- Quality notes.1: The project’s January 2023 Plan of Development states that EDF Renewables purchased the project from First Solar Development in March 2020, while a December 2024 BLM release describes the acquisition as occurring in 2022. The March 2020 date is used here because it explicitly identifies both the seller and transaction month. — Final Plan of Development · confidence: high
- Quality notes.1: The project’s January 2023 Plan of Development states that EDF Renewables purchased the project from First Solar Development in March 2020, while a December 2024 BLM release describes the acquisition as occurring in 2022. The March 2020 date is used here because it explicitly identifies both the seller and transaction month. — BLM announces Desert Quartzite Solar is fully operational | Bureau of Land Management · confidence: high
- Quality notes.2: The September 2021 PPA announcement described an initial 15-year agreement, while the January 2023 Plan of Development records an amended PPA finalized in October 2022 and the commercial-operation announcement describes a 20-year agreement. — EDF Renewables North America and Clean Power... · confidence: medium
- Quality notes.2: The September 2021 PPA announcement described an initial 15-year agreement, while the January 2023 Plan of Development records an amended PPA finalized in October 2022 and the commercial-operation announcement describes a 20-year agreement. — Final Plan of Development · confidence: medium
- Quality notes.2: The September 2021 PPA announcement described an initial 15-year agreement, while the January 2023 Plan of Development records an amended PPA finalized in October 2022 and the commercial-operation announcement describes a 20-year agreement. — EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Announce Commercial Operation of Desert Quartzite - EDF power solutions North America · confidence: medium
- Quality notes.3: The April 2025 financing announcement names the debt providers but does not disclose a financing amount. No acquisition consideration for EDF’s purchase from First Solar or PSEI’s 50-percent investment was stated in the available transaction announcements; no retirement or repowering milestone is documented. — EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Close Financing for Desert Quartzite Solar and Storage Project - EDF power solutions North America · confidence: medium
- Quality notes.3: The April 2025 financing announcement names the debt providers but does not disclose a financing amount. No acquisition consideration for EDF’s purchase from First Solar or PSEI’s 50-percent investment was stated in the available transaction announcements; no retirement or repowering milestone is documented. — Energy Perspectives · confidence: medium
- Quality notes.3: The April 2025 financing announcement names the debt providers but does not disclose a financing amount. No acquisition consideration for EDF’s purchase from First Solar or PSEI’s 50-percent investment was stated in the available transaction announcements; no retirement or repowering milestone is documented. — EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Announce Commercial Operation of Desert Quartzite - EDF power solutions North America · confidence: medium
- Timeline.0: {"event":"Project acquisition","date":"2020-03","detail":"EDF Renewables purchased the project from First Solar Development in March 2020."} — Final Plan of Development · confidence: medium
- Timeline.1: {"event":"Initial power purchase agreement","date":"2021-09-02","detail":"EDF Renewables and Clean Power Alliance announced a long-term PPA for the solar-plus-storage project; the initial announcement described a 15-year term."} — EDF Renewables North America and Clean Power... · confidence: medium
- Timeline.2: {"event":"PPA amendment and planned COD","date":"2022-10","detail":"The Plan of Development states that the amended PPA for Phases 1 and 2 was finalized in October 2022 and obligated EDF Renewables to a December 2024 commercial-operation date."} — Final Plan of Development · confidence: high
- Timeline.3: {"event":"Design modification","date":"2022","detail":"BLM reported that EDF Renewables modified the project for a more efficient layout and increased solar energy generation. The available material does not establish this as a separate capacity expansion."} — BLM announces Desert Quartzite Solar is fully operational | Bureau of Land Management · confidence: medium
- Timeline.4: {"event":"Construction start","date":"2023-02-07","detail":"BLM announced the start of construction under a Notice to Proceed for the 300 MW solar facility, including the on-site substation, switchyard, 230 kV generation-tie line, and operations and maintenance facility."} — BLM approves construction of Desert Quartzite solar project | Bureau of Land Management · confidence: medium
- Timeline.5: {"event":"Minority-stake investment","date":"2024-08-28","detail":"Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure announced the phase-one closing of an investment acquiring a 50-percent stake in the project, executed together with Potentia Renewables. The final investment phase was to close upon completion and commercial operation."} — Power Sustainable invests in EDF Renewables North America solar and storage project | Power Sustainable · confidence: high
- Timeline.6: {"event":"Commercial operation","date":"2024-12","detail":"The jointly owned project achieved operational status and began delivering electricity to Clean Power Alliance. The operating configuration was 375 MWdc/300 MWac of solar plus 150 MWac of four-hour battery storage."} — EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Announce Commercial Operation of Desert Quartzite - EDF power solutions North America · confidence: high
- Timeline.7: {"event":"Project financing close","date":"2025-04-16","detail":"EDF Renewables announced the close of long-term debt financing arranged by KfW IPEX-Bank with MUFG Bank, Export Development Canada, Korea Development Bank, and four other participating banks."} — EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Close Financing for Desert Quartzite Solar and Storage Project - EDF power solutions North America · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.0: {"relationship":"Legal project entity and registered applicant","name":"Desert Quartzite, LLC","detail":"Project entity authorized by BLM to construct and operate the facility and associated interconnection infrastructure.","official_url":"https://desertquartzite.com/"} — BLM approves construction of Desert Quartzite solar project | Bureau of Land Management · confidence: high

## Timeline

- 2021-09-02 — Power purchase agreement
  EDF Renewables North America and Clean Power Alliance signed a 15-year PPA for Desert Quartzite covering 300 MWac solar coupled with 600 MWh BESS.
  Source: EDF Renewables North America and Clean Power Alliance Sign Power Purchase Agreement for Solar-plus-Storage Project - EDF power solutions North America (https://www.edf-re.com/press-release/edf-renewables-north-america-and-clean-power-alliance-sign-power-purchase-agreement-for-solar-plus-storage-project/)
- 2022 — Design modification
  BLM reported that EDF Renewables modified the project for a more efficient layout and increased solar energy generation. The available material does not establish this as a separate capacity expansion.
  Source: BLM announces Desert Quartzite Solar is fully operational | Bureau of Land Management (https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-announces-desert-quartzite-solar-fully-operational)
- 2024-12 — Commercial operation
  The jointly owned project achieved operational status and began delivering electricity to Clean Power Alliance. The operating configuration was 375 MWdc/300 MWac of solar plus 150 MWac of four-hour battery storage.
  Source: EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Announce Commercial Operation of Desert Quartzite - EDF power solutions North America (https://www.edf-re.com/press-release/edf-renewables-north-america-and-power-sustainable-energy-infrastructure-announce-commercial-operation-of-desert-quartzite/)

## Sources

- [EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Announce Commercial Operation of Desert Quartzite - EDF power solutions North America](https://www.edf-re.com/press-release/edf-renewables-north-america-and-power-sustainable-energy-infrastructure-announce-commercial-operation-of-desert-quartzite/) — edf-re.com · tier other
- [EIA - MBR | Index - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission](https://mbrweb.ferc.gov/SearchlkpEIA/Index?page=736) — mbrweb.ferc.gov · tier regulatory
- [2026 NQC List](https://www.caiso.com/documents/net-qualifying-capacity-report-for-compliance-year-2026.xlsx) — caiso.com · tier other
- [Source](https://www.caiso.com/documents/aug2-2021-certificate-of-concurrence-agreement-caiso-socaled-desert-quartzite-er21-2589.pdf) — caiso.com · tier other
- [BLM announces Desert Quartzite Solar is fully operational | Bureau of Land Management](https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-announces-desert-quartzite-solar-fully-operational) — blm.gov · tier regulatory
- [Desert Quartzite: Unraveling Nature's Geological Mysteries](https://desertquartzite.com/) — desertquartzite.com · tier other
- [Source](https://files.cleanpoweralliance.org/uploads/2025/03/Clean-Power-Alliances-New-Solar-and-Battery-Storage-Projects-Boost-Socals-Energy-Resilience-Sustainability-Press-Release-3.17.2025.pdf) — files.cleanpoweralliance.org · tier other
- [EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Close Financing for Desert Quartzite Solar and Storage Project - EDF power solutions North America](https://www.edf-re.com/press-release/edf-renewables-north-america-and-power-sustainable-close-financing-for-desert-quartzite-solar-and-storage-project/) — edf-re.com · tier other
- [Source](https://www.wecc.org/sites/default/files/documents/progress_report/2025/SCE%202025%20APR.pdf) — wecc.org · tier other
- [federal energy regulatory commission](https://www.caiso.com/documents/sep8-2021-orderacceptingcertificateofconcurrence-lgia-desertquartzite-er21-2589.pdf) — caiso.com · tier other
- [Final Plan of Development](https://desertquartzite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DQ-POD-V5_01052023.pdf) — desertquartzite.com · tier other
- [Canadian Solar Launches HiKu7 and BiHiKu7 Modules of up to 665 W | Canadian Solar Inc.](https://investors.canadiansolar.com/news-releases/news-release-details/canadian-solar-launches-HiKu7-and-BiHiKu7-modules-665-w) — investors.canadiansolar.com · tier other
- [Desert Quartzite solar-plus-storage plant gets greenlight ...](https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2023/02/08/desert-quartzite-solar-plus-storage-plant-gets-greenlight-from-blm/) — pv-magazine-usa.com · tier other
- [Power Sustainable invests in EDF Renewables North America solar and storage project | Power Sustainable](https://powersustainable.com/en/news/power-sustainable-invests-edf-renewables-north-america-solar-storage-project/) — powersustainable.com · tier other
- [Energy Perspectives](https://www.cleanbridge.co/wp-content/uploads/CleanBridge-Energy-Perspectives-2025-03.pdf) — cleanbridge.co · tier other
- [EDF Renewables North America and Power Sustainable Close Financing for Desert Quartzite Solar and Storage Project - EDF power solutions North America](https://www.edf-re.com/press-release/edf-renewables-north-america-and-power-sustainable-close-financing-for-desert-quartzite-solar-and-storage-project) — edf-re.com · tier other
- [EDF Renewables North America and Clean Power ...](https://www.edf-re.com/press-release/edf-renewables-north-america-and-clean-power-alliance-sign-power-purchase-agreement-for-solar-plus-storage-project/) — edf-re.com · tier other
- [BLM approves construction of Desert Quartzite solar project | Bureau of Land Management](https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-approves-construction-desert-quartzite-solar-project) — blm.gov · tier regulatory
- [Desert Quartzite Project: Showcasing Geological Marvels](https://desertquartzite.com/about-this-project/) — desertquartzite.com · tier other
- [Desert Quartzite Solar+Storage Project - Potentia Renewables](https://www.potentiarenewables.com/our-portfolio/desert-quartzite-solarstorage-project/) — potentiarenewables.com · tier other

## Data quality

- Capacity is reported using both DC and AC conventions: 375 MWdc/300 MWac for solar and 150 MWac for the battery system; the 450 MW combined figure should not be interpreted as 450 MW of solar generation. The project’s January 2023 Plan of Development states that EDF Renewables purchased the project from First Solar Development in March 2020, while a December 2024 BLM release describes the acquisition as occurring in 2022. The March 2020 date is used here because it explicitly identifies both the seller and transaction month. The April 2025 financing announcement names the debt providers but does not disclose a financing amount. No acquisition consideration for EDF’s purchase from First Solar or PSEI’s 50-percent investment was stated in the available transaction announcements; no retirement or repowering milestone is documented.

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