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Calico Solar Project
Formerly SES Solar One Project

Docket Number: 08-AFC-13
(Application For Certification)

Docket Number: 08-AFC-13C
(Compliance Proceeding)

Docket Number: 11-CAI-01
(Complaint and Investigation Proceeding)

Committee Overseeing This Case:

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Key Dates

• December 2, 2008 - Application for Certification (AFC) filed.
• May 6, 2009 - Commission accepts AFC as "data adequate."
• September 25, 2010 - Committee releases Presiding Member's Proposed Decision.
• October 28, 2010 - Commission approves Application For Certification.

General Description of Project

On December 2, 2008, Stirling Energy Systems Solar One, LLC (SES Solar Three LLC and SES Solar Six LLC) submitted an Application for Certification (AFC) to construct and operate the Stirling Energy Systems Solar One Project (SES Solar One), a solar dish Stirling systems project in San Bernardino County, California.

In January 2010, the project formally changed its name to the Calico Solar Project. The applicant, SES Solar Three LLC, was merged into SES Solar Six LLC, and that surviving entity was re-named Calico Solar, LLC. Calico Solar is a subsidiary of Tessera Solar™.

The proposed Callico Solar project would be a nominal 850-megawatt (MW) Stirling engine project, with construction planned to begin in late 2010 if the project is approved by the Energy Commission. Although construction would take approximately 40 months to complete, renewable power would be available to the grid as each 60-unit group is completed. The primary equipment for the generating facility would include the approximately 30,000, 25-kilowatt solar dish Stirling systems (referred to as SunCatchers), their associated equipment and systems, and their support infrastructure. Each SunCatcher consists of a solar receiver heat exchanger and a closed-cycle, high-efficiency Solar Stirling Engine specifically designed to convert solar power to rotary power then driving an electrical generator to produce grid-quality electricity.

The proposed project will be constructed on an approximate 8,230-acre site located in San Bernardino County, California. The project site is approximately 37 miles east of Barstow, 17 miles east of Newberry Springs, 57 miles northeast of Victorville, and approximately 115 miles east of Los Angeles (straight line distances). Most of the power from the project will be generated at peak times, when the demand for electricity is greatest.

Energy Commission Facility Certification Process

The Energy Commission's facility certification process carefully examines public health and safety, environmental impacts and engineering aspects of proposed power plants and all related facilities such as electric transmission lines, natural gas pipelines, etc.

The Energy Commission is the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has a certified regulatory program under CEQA. Under its certified program, the Energy Commission is exempt from having to prepare an environmental impact report. Its certified program, however, does require environmental analysis of the project, including an analysis of alternatives and mitigation measures to minimize any significant adverse effect the project may have on the environment.

For Questions About This Siting Case Contact:

For Questions About Participation In Siting Cases Contact:

Public Adviser
California Energy Commission
1516 Ninth Street, MS-12 Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-654-4489
Toll-Free in California: 1-800-822-6228
E-mail: PublicAdviser@energy.state.ca.us

News Media Please Contact:

Media & Public Communications Office
Phone: 916-654-4989
E-mail: mediaoffice@energy.state.ca.us