Overview
CED Avenal is a 15.8 MW solar PV facility in California, owned by Consolidated Edison Development Inc. It contributes to the state's renewable energy portfolio under the US IRA and California RPS.
CED Avenal is a solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant located in California, United States. With a capacity of 15.8 megawatts (MW), it operates as a medium-scale solar installation within the state's diverse renewable energy landscape. The facility is owned by Consolidated Edison Development Inc., a subsidiary of Con Edison, and is currently operational. The plant utilizes solar PV technology to convert sunlight into electricity, a mature and widely deployed renewable energy source. California's regulatory environment strongly supports solar development through the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which mandates 60% renewable electricity by 2030, and the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). These policies have driven significant solar capacity additions across the state. CED Avenal contributes to California's grid by supplying clean electricity, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and supporting state climate goals. Solar PV facilities like this one help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and can be integrated into the grid with energy storage solutions. The plant's location in California's Central Valley benefits from high solar irradiance, optimizing energy generation.
Environmental context
California's Central Valley has high solar irradiance, making it ideal for solar PV generation. The region's agricultural landscape means solar farms must balance land use with farming, often leading to dual-use or agrivoltaic approaches. Solar PV has minimal water use and no emissions during operation, but land conversion and visual impacts are considerations. Grid integration of variable solar power requires management to ensure stability.
Frequently asked questions
CED Avenal is located in California, United States, near the city of Avenal in Kings County. The facility is situated in the Central Valley region.
CED Avenal has a capacity of 15.8 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant.
CED Avenal is owned by Consolidated Edison Development Inc., a subsidiary of Con Edison, a major energy company based in New York.
California's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires 60% renewable electricity by 2030, and the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides financial incentives for solar projects.
Solar PV generates electricity with no emissions or water use during operation, but land use and visual impacts are considerations. In California, dual-use solar (agrivoltaics) can combine farming with solar generation.