# Solar Star 1

CAISO Solar Photovoltaic · https://askthegrid.com/assets/facilities/solar-star-1

Solar Star 1 is a solar power facility with 318 MW of EIA-reported nameplate capacity in Kern County, California, registered as EIA Plant ID 58388. Solar Star 1 is part of the Solar Star 1 and 2 development, which BHE Renewables says represented the largest solar project in the world when constructed.

## Key facts

- Technology: Solar Photovoltaic
- Power capacity: 318 MW
- Operating status: operating

## Grid and market context

- ISO/RTO: CAISO
- Balancing authority: CISO
- Substation: Whirlwind Substation
- Point of interconnection: Whirlwind Substation
- Transmission owner: Southern California Edison Company (SCE)
- Interconnection voltage: 230 kV

## Source-backed facts

- Owner logo domain: bherenewables.com — Solar Star · confidence: medium
- Identifiers: [{"value":"58388","system":"EIA plant ID"},{"value":"CISO","system":"Balancing authority"},{"value":"CAISO","system":"ISO/RTO power market"},{"value":"AVS1","system":"EIA generator ID"},{"value":"SS16","system":"EIA generator ID"},{"value":"SS13","system":"EIA generator ID"},{"value":"SS15","system":"EIA generator ID"},{"value":"SS12","system":"EIA generator ID"},{"value":"SS11","system":"EIA generator ID"},{"value":"SS14","system":"EIA generator ID"},{"value":"49634","system":"FERC MBR EIA row ID"},{"value":"49635","system":"FERC MBR EIA row ID"},{"value":"W4641","system":"California PSD source identifier"},{"value":"W4562","system":"California PSD source identifier"},{"value":"W4393","system":"California PSD source identifier"},{"value":"W4678","system":"California PSD source identifier"},{"value":"W4064","system":"California PSD source identifier"},{"value":"W4392","system":"California PSD source identifier"},{"value":"W4099","system":"California PSD source identifier"},{"value":"61363A","system":"California PSD facility ID"},{"value":"_2_SOLAR1","system":"CAISO participating-resource identifier"}] — Resource category and phase · confidence: medium
- Owner name: BHE Renewables LLC — Solar Star · confidence: medium
- Description: Solar Star 1 is an operating 318 MW solar photovoltaic power plant in Kern County, California. The plant has seven operational generating units, with 309.9 MW of summer and winter capacity, and its first unit entered service in March 2014. It operates in the CISO balancing authority within the CAISO market. Generation from the Solar Star projects is sold to Southern California Edison under long-term power purchase agreements. — Solar Star · confidence: high
- Identifiers.20: {"value":"_2_SOLAR1","system":"CAISO participating-resource identifier"} — Resource category and phase · confidence: medium
- Parties.1: {"relationship":"Owner and parent operator","name":"BHE Renewables LLC","official_url":"https://www.bherenewables.com/"} — Research Update: Solar Star Funding LLC 'BBB' Deb | S&P Global Ratings · confidence: medium
- Parties.2: {"relationship":"Parent company","name":"Berkshire Hathaway Energy","official_url":"https://www.brkenergy.com/"} — Solar Energy : Berkshire Hathaway Energy · confidence: medium
- Parties.3: {"relationship":"Operations and maintenance provider","name":"BHER Operating Co.","official_url":null} — Research Update: Solar Star Funding LLC 'BBB' Deb | S&P Global Ratings · confidence: medium
- Parties.4: {"relationship":"Power purchaser and offtaker","name":"Southern California Edison Company","official_url":"https://www.sce.com/"} — Solar Star · confidence: high
- Parties.5: {"relationship":"Original developer, EPC contractor, and PV technology supplier","name":"SunPower Corporation Systems","official_url":"https://us.sunpower.com/"} — Solar Star Projects, Antelope Valley, California, USA · confidence: medium
- Parties.6: {"relationship":"Project financing entity","name":"Solar Star Funding LLC","official_url":null} — Solar Star Funding LLC Senior Secured Notes Rated · confidence: medium
- Equipment models: [{"manufacturer_domain":"us.sunpower.com","product_url":null,"count":null,"unit_mw":1.5,"name":"SunPower Oasis power plant technology"}] — Source · confidence: medium
- Product family: SunPower Oasis power plant technology — Source · confidence: medium
- Equipment models.0: {"manufacturer_domain":"us.sunpower.com","product_url":null,"count":null,"unit_mw":1.5,"name":"SunPower Oasis power plant technology"} — Source · confidence: medium
- Construction scope: Operating 318-MW solar photovoltaic plant in Kern County with seven operational generators: 39, 64.5, 58.5, 15, 54, 54, and 33 MW nameplate units. The plant uses crystalline-silicon PV modules on single-axis trackers. For the co-located Solar Star I and II build, construction scope included foundations, trackers, an aqueduct crossing, stormwater protection, and civil site work; SunPower handled design, EPC, construction, and commissioning. No module or inverter count is assigned to Solar Star 1 because the published equipment totals found apply to the combined Solar Star projects/site. — Solar Star I & II Solar | Mortenson · confidence: medium
- Construction scope: Operating 318-MW solar photovoltaic plant in Kern County with seven operational generators: 39, 64.5, 58.5, 15, 54, 54, and 33 MW nameplate units. The plant uses crystalline-silicon PV modules on single-axis trackers. For the co-located Solar Star I and II build, construction scope included foundations, trackers, an aqueduct crossing, stormwater protection, and civil site work; SunPower handled design, EPC, construction, and commissioning. No module or inverter count is assigned to Solar Star 1 because the published equipment totals found apply to the combined Solar Star projects/site. — Solar Star Projects, Antelope Valley, California, USA · confidence: medium
- Description: Solar Star 1 is an operating 318 MW solar photovoltaic plant in Kern County, California, with seven operational generating units and 309.9 MW of summer and winter capacity. Solar Star California XIX, LLC is the project company and registered operator; the project company is owned by BHE Renewables, a Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiary, with operations and maintenance performed by BHER Operating Co. MidAmerican Solar acquired the combined Antelope Valley Solar Projects from SunPower in December 2012, while SunPower remained the EPC contractor. Solar Star 1’s first unit entered service in March 2014, and the combined development was completed and commissioned in 2015. — Solar Star Funding LLC 'BBB' Debt Rating Affirmed · confidence: medium
- Description: Solar Star 1 is an operating 318 MW solar photovoltaic plant in Kern County, California, with seven operational generating units and 309.9 MW of summer and winter capacity. Solar Star California XIX, LLC is the project company and registered operator; the project company is owned by BHE Renewables, a Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiary, with operations and maintenance performed by BHER Operating Co. MidAmerican Solar acquired the combined Antelope Valley Solar Projects from SunPower in December 2012, while SunPower remained the EPC contractor. Solar Star 1’s first unit entered service in March 2014, and the combined development was completed and commissioned in 2015. — Solar Star Projects, Antelope Valley, California, USA · confidence: medium
- Quality notes: ["The reported $2 billion-$2.5 billion acquisition/development economics and the £1.5 billion/$2 billion investment estimate apply to the combined Antelope Valley/Solar Star 1 and 2 development, not Solar Star 1 alone.","Plant-specific records report Solar Star 1 at 318 MW with seven operating generators, while project-level sources describe the combined Solar Star 1 and 2 development as approximately 579 MW.","Solar Star 1 remains operational as of 2026-08-02. No separate material expansion, retirement, or repowering event is reported for this plant; Solar Star 3 and 4 are separately identified projects."] — Warren Buffett snaps up US solar farms in $2bn deal · confidence: medium
- Quality notes: ["The reported $2 billion-$2.5 billion acquisition/development economics and the £1.5 billion/$2 billion investment estimate apply to the combined Antelope Valley/Solar Star 1 and 2 development, not Solar Star 1 alone.","Plant-specific records report Solar Star 1 at 318 MW with seven operating generators, while project-level sources describe the combined Solar Star 1 and 2 development as approximately 579 MW.","Solar Star 1 remains operational as of 2026-08-02. No separate material expansion, retirement, or repowering event is reported for this plant; Solar Star 3 and 4 are separately identified projects."] — Solar Star Projects, Antelope Valley, California, USA · confidence: medium
- Quality notes: ["The reported $2 billion-$2.5 billion acquisition/development economics and the £1.5 billion/$2 billion investment estimate apply to the combined Antelope Valley/Solar Star 1 and 2 development, not Solar Star 1 alone.","Plant-specific records report Solar Star 1 at 318 MW with seven operating generators, while project-level sources describe the combined Solar Star 1 and 2 development as approximately 579 MW.","Solar Star 1 remains operational as of 2026-08-02. No separate material expansion, retirement, or repowering event is reported for this plant; Solar Star 3 and 4 are separately identified projects."] — Source · confidence: medium
- Financing summary: Solar Star Funding issued $1.000 billion of Series A senior secured notes in June 2013 to finance construction of the combined 579 MW photovoltaic project. In March 2015, it issued $325 million of Series B senior secured notes pari passu with the Series A notes; the proceeds were used to repay part of the construction costs to the sponsor. These were project financings, not sale consideration. Separately, the December 2012 acquisition/development transaction for the combined Antelope Valley projects was reported at approximately £1.5 billion ($2 billion), while contemporaneous coverage of SunPower’s filing reported that MidAmerican would pay $2 billion-$2.5 billion to develop the projects; neither figure is attributable solely to Solar Star 1. — Project Bond Focus · confidence: medium
- Financing summary: Solar Star Funding issued $1.000 billion of Series A senior secured notes in June 2013 to finance construction of the combined 579 MW photovoltaic project. In March 2015, it issued $325 million of Series B senior secured notes pari passu with the Series A notes; the proceeds were used to repay part of the construction costs to the sponsor. These were project financings, not sale consideration. Separately, the December 2012 acquisition/development transaction for the combined Antelope Valley projects was reported at approximately £1.5 billion ($2 billion), while contemporaneous coverage of SunPower’s filing reported that MidAmerican would pay $2 billion-$2.5 billion to develop the projects; neither figure is attributable solely to Solar Star 1. — Warren Buffett snaps up US solar farms in $2bn deal · confidence: medium
- Financing summary: Solar Star Funding issued $1.000 billion of Series A senior secured notes in June 2013 to finance construction of the combined 579 MW photovoltaic project. In March 2015, it issued $325 million of Series B senior secured notes pari passu with the Series A notes; the proceeds were used to repay part of the construction costs to the sponsor. These were project financings, not sale consideration. Separately, the December 2012 acquisition/development transaction for the combined Antelope Valley projects was reported at approximately £1.5 billion ($2 billion), while contemporaneous coverage of SunPower’s filing reported that MidAmerican would pay $2 billion-$2.5 billion to develop the projects; neither figure is attributable solely to Solar Star 1. — Solar Star Projects, Antelope Valley, California, USA · confidence: medium
- Timeline: [{"event":"Acquisition from predecessor owner","date":"2012-12","detail":"MidAmerican Solar acquired the combined Antelope Valley Solar Projects from SunPower. The transaction covered the two co-located projects later known as Solar Star 1 and Solar Star 2."},{"event":"Solar Star 1 EPC agreement","date":"2012-12-28","detail":"Solar Star California XIX, LLC and SunPower Corporation Systems entered into the EPC agreement for the 308.97 MW Antelope Valley Solar Project at the delivery point."},{"event":"Public acquisition announcement","date":"2013-01-02","detail":"MidAmerican Solar and SunPower publicly announced MidAmerican Solar’s acquisition of the 579 MW Antelope Valley Solar Projects."},{"event":"Construction start","date":"2013","detail":"Construction of the combined Solar Star development began in the first quarter of 2013. SunPower was the EPC contractor, with Mortenson subcontracted for foundations, trackers, civil works, and site management."},{"event":"Construction financing","date":"2013-06","detail":"Solar Star Funding issued $1.000 billion of Series A senior secured notes to finance construction of the combined 579 MW photovoltaic project."},{"event":"First unit online","date":"2014-03-01","detail":"The first Solar Star 1 generating unit entered service."},{"event":"Completion and supplemental financing","date":"2015-03","detail":"Construction of the combined project was completed in March 2015. Solar Star Funding issued $325 million of Series B senior secured notes to repay part of construction costs to the sponsor."},{"event":"Full-scale commissioning","date":"2015-06","detail":"The combined Solar Star development reached full-scale commissioning and began sending its full contracted output into the California ISO grid."},{"event":"Operations began","date":"2015-07","detail":"S&P Global reported that operations began at Solar Star 1 and Solar Star 2 in July 2015."},{"event":"Current operating status","date":"2026-08-02","detail":"Solar Star 1 is operational with seven operational generators totaling 318 MW and 309.9 MW of summer and winter capacity. No separate material expansion, retirement, or repowering event is reported for Solar Star 1."}] — Solar Star Projects, Antelope Valley, California, USA · confidence: medium
- Timeline: [{"event":"Acquisition from predecessor owner","date":"2012-12","detail":"MidAmerican Solar acquired the combined Antelope Valley Solar Projects from SunPower. The transaction covered the two co-located projects later known as Solar Star 1 and Solar Star 2."},{"event":"Solar Star 1 EPC agreement","date":"2012-12-28","detail":"Solar Star California XIX, LLC and SunPower Corporation Systems entered into the EPC agreement for the 308.97 MW Antelope Valley Solar Project at the delivery point."},{"event":"Public acquisition announcement","date":"2013-01-02","detail":"MidAmerican Solar and SunPower publicly announced MidAmerican Solar’s acquisition of the 579 MW Antelope Valley Solar Projects."},{"event":"Construction start","date":"2013","detail":"Construction of the combined Solar Star development began in the first quarter of 2013. SunPower was the EPC contractor, with Mortenson subcontracted for foundations, trackers, civil works, and site management."},{"event":"Construction financing","date":"2013-06","detail":"Solar Star Funding issued $1.000 billion of Series A senior secured notes to finance construction of the combined 579 MW photovoltaic project."},{"event":"First unit online","date":"2014-03-01","detail":"The first Solar Star 1 generating unit entered service."},{"event":"Completion and supplemental financing","date":"2015-03","detail":"Construction of the combined project was completed in March 2015. Solar Star Funding issued $325 million of Series B senior secured notes to repay part of construction costs to the sponsor."},{"event":"Full-scale commissioning","date":"2015-06","detail":"The combined Solar Star development reached full-scale commissioning and began sending its full contracted output into the California ISO grid."},{"event":"Operations began","date":"2015-07","detail":"S&P Global reported that operations began at Solar Star 1 and Solar Star 2 in July 2015."},{"event":"Current operating status","date":"2026-08-02","detail":"Solar Star 1 is operational with seven operational generators totaling 318 MW and 309.9 MW of summer and winter capacity. No separate material expansion, retirement, or repowering event is reported for Solar Star 1."}] — MidAmerican Solar Acquires World's Largest Solar Development... · confidence: medium
- Timeline: [{"event":"Acquisition from predecessor owner","date":"2012-12","detail":"MidAmerican Solar acquired the combined Antelope Valley Solar Projects from SunPower. The transaction covered the two co-located projects later known as Solar Star 1 and Solar Star 2."},{"event":"Solar Star 1 EPC agreement","date":"2012-12-28","detail":"Solar Star California XIX, LLC and SunPower Corporation Systems entered into the EPC agreement for the 308.97 MW Antelope Valley Solar Project at the delivery point."},{"event":"Public acquisition announcement","date":"2013-01-02","detail":"MidAmerican Solar and SunPower publicly announced MidAmerican Solar’s acquisition of the 579 MW Antelope Valley Solar Projects."},{"event":"Construction start","date":"2013","detail":"Construction of the combined Solar Star development began in the first quarter of 2013. SunPower was the EPC contractor, with Mortenson subcontracted for foundations, trackers, civil works, and site management."},{"event":"Construction financing","date":"2013-06","detail":"Solar Star Funding issued $1.000 billion of Series A senior secured notes to finance construction of the combined 579 MW photovoltaic project."},{"event":"First unit online","date":"2014-03-01","detail":"The first Solar Star 1 generating unit entered service."},{"event":"Completion and supplemental financing","date":"2015-03","detail":"Construction of the combined project was completed in March 2015. Solar Star Funding issued $325 million of Series B senior secured notes to repay part of construction costs to the sponsor."},{"event":"Full-scale commissioning","date":"2015-06","detail":"The combined Solar Star development reached full-scale commissioning and began sending its full contracted output into the California ISO grid."},{"event":"Operations began","date":"2015-07","detail":"S&P Global reported that operations began at Solar Star 1 and Solar Star 2 in July 2015."},{"event":"Current operating status","date":"2026-08-02","detail":"Solar Star 1 is operational with seven operational generators totaling 318 MW and 309.9 MW of summer and winter capacity. No separate material expansion, retirement, or repowering event is reported for Solar Star 1."}] — Project Bond Focus · confidence: medium
- Timeline: [{"event":"Acquisition from predecessor owner","date":"2012-12","detail":"MidAmerican Solar acquired the combined Antelope Valley Solar Projects from SunPower. The transaction covered the two co-located projects later known as Solar Star 1 and Solar Star 2."},{"event":"Solar Star 1 EPC agreement","date":"2012-12-28","detail":"Solar Star California XIX, LLC and SunPower Corporation Systems entered into the EPC agreement for the 308.97 MW Antelope Valley Solar Project at the delivery point."},{"event":"Public acquisition announcement","date":"2013-01-02","detail":"MidAmerican Solar and SunPower publicly announced MidAmerican Solar’s acquisition of the 579 MW Antelope Valley Solar Projects."},{"event":"Construction start","date":"2013","detail":"Construction of the combined Solar Star development began in the first quarter of 2013. SunPower was the EPC contractor, with Mortenson subcontracted for foundations, trackers, civil works, and site management."},{"event":"Construction financing","date":"2013-06","detail":"Solar Star Funding issued $1.000 billion of Series A senior secured notes to finance construction of the combined 579 MW photovoltaic project."},{"event":"First unit online","date":"2014-03-01","detail":"The first Solar Star 1 generating unit entered service."},{"event":"Completion and supplemental financing","date":"2015-03","detail":"Construction of the combined project was completed in March 2015. Solar Star Funding issued $325 million of Series B senior secured notes to repay part of construction costs to the sponsor."},{"event":"Full-scale commissioning","date":"2015-06","detail":"The combined Solar Star development reached full-scale commissioning and began sending its full contracted output into the California ISO grid."},{"event":"Operations began","date":"2015-07","detail":"S&P Global reported that operations began at Solar Star 1 and Solar Star 2 in July 2015."},{"event":"Current operating status","date":"2026-08-02","detail":"Solar Star 1 is operational with seven operational generators totaling 318 MW and 309.9 MW of summer and winter capacity. No separate material expansion, retirement, or repowering event is reported for Solar Star 1."}] — Solar Star Funding LLC 'BBB' Off CreditWatch; Out | S&P Global Ratings · confidence: medium
- Timeline: [{"event":"Acquisition from predecessor owner","date":"2012-12","detail":"MidAmerican Solar acquired the combined Antelope Valley Solar Projects from SunPower. The transaction covered the two co-located projects later known as Solar Star 1 and Solar Star 2."},{"event":"Solar Star 1 EPC agreement","date":"2012-12-28","detail":"Solar Star California XIX, LLC and SunPower Corporation Systems entered into the EPC agreement for the 308.97 MW Antelope Valley Solar Project at the delivery point."},{"event":"Public acquisition announcement","date":"2013-01-02","detail":"MidAmerican Solar and SunPower publicly announced MidAmerican Solar’s acquisition of the 579 MW Antelope Valley Solar Projects."},{"event":"Construction start","date":"2013","detail":"Construction of the combined Solar Star development began in the first quarter of 2013. SunPower was the EPC contractor, with Mortenson subcontracted for foundations, trackers, civil works, and site management."},{"event":"Construction financing","date":"2013-06","detail":"Solar Star Funding issued $1.000 billion of Series A senior secured notes to finance construction of the combined 579 MW photovoltaic project."},{"event":"First unit online","date":"2014-03-01","detail":"The first Solar Star 1 generating unit entered service."},{"event":"Completion and supplemental financing","date":"2015-03","detail":"Construction of the combined project was completed in March 2015. Solar Star Funding issued $325 million of Series B senior secured notes to repay part of construction costs to the sponsor."},{"event":"Full-scale commissioning","date":"2015-06","detail":"The combined Solar Star development reached full-scale commissioning and began sending its full contracted output into the California ISO grid."},{"event":"Operations began","date":"2015-07","detail":"S&P Global reported that operations began at Solar Star 1 and Solar Star 2 in July 2015."},{"event":"Current operating status","date":"2026-08-02","detail":"Solar Star 1 is operational with seven operational generators totaling 318 MW and 309.9 MW of summer and winter capacity. No separate material expansion, retirement, or repowering event is reported for Solar Star 1."}] — Source · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties: [{"relationship":"Registered plant operator and project company","name":"Solar Star California XIX, LLC","detail":"Project company and registered operator for the EIA plant identified as Solar Star 1.","official_url":null},{"relationship":"Owner and parent operator","name":"BHE Renewables LLC","detail":"Owns the Solar Star project company and operates the Solar Star portfolio through its renewable-energy businesses.","official_url":"https://www.bherenewables.com/"},{"relationship":"Parent company","name":"Berkshire Hathaway Energy","detail":"Parent company of BHE Renewables.","official_url":"https://www.brkenergy.com/"},{"relationship":"Operations and maintenance provider","name":"BHER Operating Co.","detail":"Contracted to perform operations and maintenance for Solar Star.","official_url":null},{"relationship":"Acquirer in December 2012","name":"MidAmerican Solar","detail":"Then a subsidiary of MidAmerican Renewables; acquired the combined Antelope Valley Solar Projects from SunPower.","official_url":null},{"relationship":"Predecessor owner, original developer, and seller","name":"SunPower Corporation","detail":"Originally undertook and developed the Antelope Valley projects and sold the combined development to MidAmerican Solar in December 2012.","official_url":"https://us.sunpower.com/"},{"relationship":"EPC contractor and technology supplier","name":"SunPower Corporation Systems","detail":"Executed the Solar Star 1 EPC agreement and was retained for engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and related long-term services.","official_url":"https://us.sunpower.com/"},{"relationship":"Construction subcontractor","name":"Mortenson","detail":"Performed subcontracted foundations and tracker work, civil works including caisson installation and roads, and general site management.","official_url":"https://www.mortenson.com/industries/solar"},{"relationship":"Power purchaser and offtaker","name":"Southern California Edison Company","detail":"Purchases Solar Star generation under long-term power purchase agreements.","official_url":"https://www.sce.com/"},{"relationship":"Project financing entity","name":"Solar Star Funding LLC","detail":"Issued the Series A and Series B senior secured notes used to finance construction and related project costs.","official_url":null}] — Solar Star Funding LLC 'BBB' Debt Rating Affirmed · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties: [{"relationship":"Registered plant operator and project company","name":"Solar Star California XIX, LLC","detail":"Project company and registered operator for the EIA plant identified as Solar Star 1.","official_url":null},{"relationship":"Owner and parent operator","name":"BHE Renewables LLC","detail":"Owns the Solar Star project company and operates the Solar Star portfolio through its renewable-energy businesses.","official_url":"https://www.bherenewables.com/"},{"relationship":"Parent company","name":"Berkshire Hathaway Energy","detail":"Parent company of BHE Renewables.","official_url":"https://www.brkenergy.com/"},{"relationship":"Operations and maintenance provider","name":"BHER Operating Co.","detail":"Contracted to perform operations and maintenance for Solar Star.","official_url":null},{"relationship":"Acquirer in December 2012","name":"MidAmerican Solar","detail":"Then a subsidiary of MidAmerican Renewables; acquired the combined Antelope Valley Solar Projects from SunPower.","official_url":null},{"relationship":"Predecessor owner, original developer, and seller","name":"SunPower Corporation","detail":"Originally undertook and developed the Antelope Valley projects and sold the combined development to MidAmerican Solar in December 2012.","official_url":"https://us.sunpower.com/"},{"relationship":"EPC contractor and technology supplier","name":"SunPower Corporation Systems","detail":"Executed the Solar Star 1 EPC agreement and was retained for engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and related long-term services.","official_url":"https://us.sunpower.com/"},{"relationship":"Construction subcontractor","name":"Mortenson","detail":"Performed subcontracted foundations and tracker work, civil works including caisson installation and roads, and general site management.","official_url":"https://www.mortenson.com/industries/solar"},{"relationship":"Power purchaser and offtaker","name":"Southern California Edison Company","detail":"Purchases Solar Star generation under long-term power purchase agreements.","official_url":"https://www.sce.com/"},{"relationship":"Project financing entity","name":"Solar Star Funding LLC","detail":"Issued the Series A and Series B senior secured notes used to finance construction and related project costs.","official_url":null}] — Source · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties: [{"relationship":"Registered plant operator and project company","name":"Solar Star California XIX, LLC","detail":"Project company and registered operator for the EIA plant identified as Solar Star 1.","official_url":null},{"relationship":"Owner and parent operator","name":"BHE Renewables LLC","detail":"Owns the Solar Star project company and operates the Solar Star portfolio through its renewable-energy businesses.","official_url":"https://www.bherenewables.com/"},{"relationship":"Parent company","name":"Berkshire Hathaway Energy","detail":"Parent company of BHE Renewables.","official_url":"https://www.brkenergy.com/"},{"relationship":"Operations and maintenance provider","name":"BHER Operating Co.","detail":"Contracted to perform operations and maintenance for Solar Star.","official_url":null},{"relationship":"Acquirer in December 2012","name":"MidAmerican Solar","detail":"Then a subsidiary of MidAmerican Renewables; acquired the combined Antelope Valley Solar Projects from SunPower.","official_url":null},{"relationship":"Predecessor owner, original developer, and seller","name":"SunPower Corporation","detail":"Originally undertook and developed the Antelope Valley projects and sold the combined development to MidAmerican Solar in December 2012.","official_url":"https://us.sunpower.com/"},{"relationship":"EPC contractor and technology supplier","name":"SunPower Corporation Systems","detail":"Executed the Solar Star 1 EPC agreement and was retained for engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and related long-term services.","official_url":"https://us.sunpower.com/"},{"relationship":"Construction subcontractor","name":"Mortenson","detail":"Performed subcontracted foundations and tracker work, civil works including caisson installation and roads, and general site management.","official_url":"https://www.mortenson.com/industries/solar"},{"relationship":"Power purchaser and offtaker","name":"Southern California Edison Company","detail":"Purchases Solar Star generation under long-term power purchase agreements.","official_url":"https://www.sce.com/"},{"relationship":"Project financing entity","name":"Solar Star Funding LLC","detail":"Issued the Series A and Series B senior secured notes used to finance construction and related project costs.","official_url":null}] — MidAmerican Solar Acquires World's Largest Solar Development... · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties: [{"relationship":"Registered plant operator and project company","name":"Solar Star California XIX, LLC","detail":"Project company and registered operator for the EIA plant identified as Solar Star 1.","official_url":null},{"relationship":"Owner and parent operator","name":"BHE Renewables LLC","detail":"Owns the Solar Star project company and operates the Solar Star portfolio through its renewable-energy businesses.","official_url":"https://www.bherenewables.com/"},{"relationship":"Parent company","name":"Berkshire Hathaway Energy","detail":"Parent company of BHE Renewables.","official_url":"https://www.brkenergy.com/"},{"relationship":"Operations and maintenance provider","name":"BHER Operating Co.","detail":"Contracted to perform operations and maintenance for Solar Star.","official_url":null},{"relationship":"Acquirer in December 2012","name":"MidAmerican Solar","detail":"Then a subsidiary of MidAmerican Renewables; acquired the combined Antelope Valley Solar Projects from SunPower.","official_url":null},{"relationship":"Predecessor owner, original developer, and seller","name":"SunPower Corporation","detail":"Originally undertook and developed the Antelope Valley projects and sold the combined development to MidAmerican Solar in December 2012.","official_url":"https://us.sunpower.com/"},{"relationship":"EPC contractor and technology supplier","name":"SunPower Corporation Systems","detail":"Executed the Solar Star 1 EPC agreement and was retained for engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and related long-term services.","official_url":"https://us.sunpower.com/"},{"relationship":"Construction subcontractor","name":"Mortenson","detail":"Performed subcontracted foundations and tracker work, civil works including caisson installation and roads, and general site management.","official_url":"https://www.mortenson.com/industries/solar"},{"relationship":"Power purchaser and offtaker","name":"Southern California Edison Company","detail":"Purchases Solar Star generation under long-term power purchase agreements.","official_url":"https://www.sce.com/"},{"relationship":"Project financing entity","name":"Solar Star Funding LLC","detail":"Issued the Series A and Series B senior secured notes used to finance construction and related project costs.","official_url":null}] — Solar Star Projects, Antelope Valley, California, USA · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties: [{"relationship":"Registered plant operator and project company","name":"Solar Star California XIX, LLC","detail":"Project company and registered operator for the EIA plant identified as Solar Star 1.","official_url":null},{"relationship":"Owner and parent operator","name":"BHE Renewables LLC","detail":"Owns the Solar Star project company and operates the Solar Star portfolio through its renewable-energy businesses.","official_url":"https://www.bherenewables.com/"},{"relationship":"Parent company","name":"Berkshire Hathaway Energy","detail":"Parent company of BHE Renewables.","official_url":"https://www.brkenergy.com/"},{"relationship":"Operations and maintenance provider","name":"BHER Operating Co.","detail":"Contracted to perform operations and maintenance for Solar Star.","official_url":null},{"relationship":"Acquirer in December 2012","name":"MidAmerican Solar","detail":"Then a subsidiary of MidAmerican Renewables; acquired the combined Antelope Valley Solar Projects from SunPower.","official_url":null},{"relationship":"Predecessor owner, original developer, and seller","name":"SunPower Corporation","detail":"Originally undertook and developed the Antelope Valley projects and sold the combined development to MidAmerican Solar in December 2012.","official_url":"https://us.sunpower.com/"},{"relationship":"EPC contractor and technology supplier","name":"SunPower Corporation Systems","detail":"Executed the Solar Star 1 EPC agreement and was retained for engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and related long-term services.","official_url":"https://us.sunpower.com/"},{"relationship":"Construction subcontractor","name":"Mortenson","detail":"Performed subcontracted foundations and tracker work, civil works including caisson installation and roads, and general site management.","official_url":"https://www.mortenson.com/industries/solar"},{"relationship":"Power purchaser and offtaker","name":"Southern California Edison Company","detail":"Purchases Solar Star generation under long-term power purchase agreements.","official_url":"https://www.sce.com/"},{"relationship":"Project financing entity","name":"Solar Star Funding LLC","detail":"Issued the Series A and Series B senior secured notes used to finance construction and related project costs.","official_url":null}] — Project Bond Focus · confidence: medium
- Timeline.0: {"event":"Acquisition from predecessor owner","date":"2012-12","detail":"MidAmerican Solar acquired the combined Antelope Valley Solar Projects from SunPower. The transaction covered the two co-located projects later known as Solar Star 1 and Solar Star 2."} — Solar Star Projects, Antelope Valley, California, USA · confidence: medium
- Timeline.2: {"event":"Public acquisition announcement","date":"2013-01-02","detail":"MidAmerican Solar and SunPower publicly announced MidAmerican Solar’s acquisition of the 579 MW Antelope Valley Solar Projects."} — MidAmerican Solar Acquires World's Largest Solar Development... · confidence: high
- Timeline.3: {"event":"Construction start","date":"2013","detail":"Construction of the combined Solar Star development began in the first quarter of 2013. SunPower was the EPC contractor, with Mortenson subcontracted for foundations, trackers, civil works, and site management."} — Solar Star Projects, Antelope Valley, California, USA · confidence: medium
- Timeline.4: {"event":"Construction financing","date":"2013-06","detail":"Solar Star Funding issued $1.000 billion of Series A senior secured notes to finance construction of the combined 579 MW photovoltaic project."} — Project Bond Focus · confidence: high
- Timeline.6: {"event":"Completion and supplemental financing","date":"2015-03","detail":"Construction of the combined project was completed in March 2015. Solar Star Funding issued $325 million of Series B senior secured notes to repay part of construction costs to the sponsor."} — Project Bonds: Solar · confidence: medium
- Timeline.7: {"event":"Full-scale commissioning","date":"2015-06","detail":"The combined Solar Star development reached full-scale commissioning and began sending its full contracted output into the California ISO grid."} — Solar Star Projects, Antelope Valley, California, USA · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.1: {"relationship":"Owner and parent operator","name":"BHE Renewables LLC","detail":"Owns the Solar Star project company and operates the Solar Star portfolio through its renewable-energy businesses.","official_url":"https://www.bherenewables.com/"} — Solar Star Funding LLC 'BBB' Debt Rating Affirmed · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.2: {"relationship":"Parent company","name":"Berkshire Hathaway Energy","detail":"Parent company of BHE Renewables.","official_url":"https://www.brkenergy.com/"} — Source · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.3: {"relationship":"Operations and maintenance provider","name":"BHER Operating Co.","detail":"Contracted to perform operations and maintenance for Solar Star.","official_url":null} — Solar Star Funding LLC 'BBB' Debt Rating Affirmed · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.4: {"relationship":"Acquirer in December 2012","name":"MidAmerican Solar","detail":"Then a subsidiary of MidAmerican Renewables; acquired the combined Antelope Valley Solar Projects from SunPower.","official_url":null} — MidAmerican Solar Acquires World's Largest Solar Development... · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.4: {"relationship":"Acquirer in December 2012","name":"MidAmerican Solar","detail":"Then a subsidiary of MidAmerican Renewables; acquired the combined Antelope Valley Solar Projects from SunPower.","official_url":null} — Solar Star Projects, Antelope Valley, California, USA · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.5: {"relationship":"Predecessor owner, original developer, and seller","name":"SunPower Corporation","detail":"Originally undertook and developed the Antelope Valley projects and sold the combined development to MidAmerican Solar in December 2012.","official_url":"https://us.sunpower.com/"} — Solar Star Projects, Antelope Valley, California, USA · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.7: {"relationship":"Construction subcontractor","name":"Mortenson","detail":"Performed subcontracted foundations and tracker work, civil works including caisson installation and roads, and general site management.","official_url":"https://www.mortenson.com/industries/solar"} — Solar Star Projects, Antelope Valley, California, USA · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.8: {"relationship":"Power purchaser and offtaker","name":"Southern California Edison Company","detail":"Purchases Solar Star generation under long-term power purchase agreements.","official_url":"https://www.sce.com/"} — Solar Star Projects, Antelope Valley, California, USA · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.9: {"relationship":"Project financing entity","name":"Solar Star Funding LLC","detail":"Issued the Series A and Series B senior secured notes used to finance construction and related project costs.","official_url":null} — Project Bond Focus · confidence: high

## Timeline

- 2012-12-28 — Solar Star 1 EPC agreement
  Solar Star California XIX, LLC and SunPower Corporation Systems entered into the EPC agreement for the 308.97 MW Antelope Valley Solar Project at the delivery point.
  Source: Source (https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/867773/000086777313000012/ex10_96x12302012.htm)
- 2013-06 — Construction financing
  Solar Star Funding issued $1.000 billion of Series A senior secured notes to finance construction of the combined 579 MW photovoltaic project.
  Source: Project Bond Focus (https://www.ca-cib.com/sites/default/files/2020-10/Project%20Bond%20Focus%20-%20Solar%202020%20VF.pdf)

## Sources

- [Solar Star](https://www.bherenewables.com/solar-star) — bherenewables.com · tier other
- [Resource category and phase](https://bpmcm.caiso.com/Lists/PRR%20Details/Attachments/1067/Resource%20category%20and%20phase_by%20resource%20ID_CAISO.XLSX) — bpmcm.caiso.com · tier other
- [Research Update: Solar Star Funding LLC 'BBB' Deb | S&P Global Ratings](https://www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/regulatory/article/-/view/type/HTML/id/3597932) — spglobal.com · tier other
- [E-4456 Final Redacted Resolution (This approves cost recovery for power purchase agreements between SCE and Solar Star California XIII, XIX, XX, LLCs)](https://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/FINAL_RESOLUTION/157542.htm) — docs.cpuc.ca.gov · tier regulatory
- [Solar Star Projects, Antelope Valley, California, USA](https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/projects/solar-star-projects-california/) — nsenergybusiness.com · tier other
- [Solar Star Funding LLC Senior Secured Notes Rated](https://www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/regulatory/article/-/view/type/HTML/id/1143096) — spglobal.com · tier other
- [Solar Energy : Berkshire Hathaway Energy](https://www.brkenergy.com/energy/solar.aspx) — brkenergy.com · tier other
- [Solar Star](https://www.pv-tech.org/wp-content/uploads/legacy-publication-pdfs/b3bab2f70c-solar-star-inside-the-worlds-biggest-solar-plant.pdf) — pv-tech.org · tier other
- [Source](https://spglobal.com/ratings/en/regulatory/article/-/view/type/HTML/id/3597932) — spglobal.com · tier other
- [Source](https://d3mm496e6885mw.cloudfront.net/system_integrator/55ba2aa1e4b0b40dff38fedd/pdf/project/project_201502111adf13016d024802a037b22974af6853.pdf) — d3mm496e6885mw.cloudfront.net · tier other
- [SunPower – Powering a Brighter Future | SunPower®](https://us.sunpower.com/) — us.sunpower.com · tier other
- [Solar Star I & II Solar | Mortenson](https://www.mortenson.com/projects/solar-star-i-and-ii) — mortenson.com · tier other
- [description: Embrace solar confidence with our guaranteed warranty. Unleash lasting reliability and enjoy worry-free solar panel system. Power your life with assurance. title: Solar Panel System for Power Plants - SunPower UK](https://www.sunpowerglobal.com/uk/businesses/power-plants) — sunpowerglobal.com · tier other
- [Solar Star Funding LLC 'BBB' Debt Rating Affirmed](https://www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/regulatory/article/-/view/type/HTML/id/3597933) — spglobal.com · tier other
- [Warren Buffett snaps up US solar farms in $2bn deal](https://www.businessgreen.com/news/2233450/warren-buffett-snaps-up-us-solar-farms-in-usd2bn-deal) — businessgreen.com · tier other
- [Source](https://brkenergy.com/assets/pdf/2026-BHE-Corporate-Overview.pdf) — brkenergy.com · tier other
- [Project Bond Focus](https://www.ca-cib.com/sites/default/files/2020-10/Project%20Bond%20Focus%20-%20Solar%202020%20VF.pdf) — ca-cib.com · tier other
- [Source](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/867773/000086777313000012/ex10_96x12302012.htm) — sec.gov · tier regulatory
- [MidAmerican Solar Acquires World's Largest Solar Development from SunPower](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/midamerican-solar-acquires-worlds-largest-solar-development-from-sunpower-185407112.html) — prnewswire.com · tier other
- [Solar Star Funding LLC 'BBB' Off CreditWatch; Out | S&P Global Ratings](https://www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/regulatory/article/-/view/type/HTML/id/2276277) — spglobal.com · tier other
- [BHE Renewables](https://ema.bherenewables.com/solarstar_solar.aspx) — ema.bherenewables.com · tier other
- [Announced Resource Retirement and Mothball List posted | California ISO](https://www.caiso.com/notices/announced-resource-retirement-and-mothball-list-posted-4) — caiso.com · tier other

## Data quality

- The reported $2 billion-$2.5 billion acquisition/development economics and the £1.5 billion/$2 billion investment estimate apply to the combined Antelope Valley/Solar Star 1 and 2 development, not Solar Star 1 alone. Plant-specific records report Solar Star 1 at 318 MW with seven operating generators, while project-level sources describe the combined Solar Star 1 and 2 development as approximately 579 MW. Solar Star 1 remains operational as of August 2, 2026. No separate material expansion, retirement, or repowering event is reported for this plant; Solar Star 3 and 4 are separately identified projects.

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