Overview
Heliocentric is a 1.5 MW solar PV facility in California, United States, owned by Heliocentric LLC. The plant is operational and contributes to the state's renewable energy portfolio.
Heliocentric is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in California, United States, with a capacity of 1.5 megawatts (MW). Owned by Heliocentric LLC, the plant is operational and represents a small-scale solar installation typical of distributed generation in the region. California's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) mandates 60% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% by 2045, driving growth in solar PV. The facility uses solar PV technology to convert sunlight into electricity, with a capacity of 1.5 MW. This scale is common for community or commercial solar projects, often feeding into the local grid under net metering or power purchase agreements. The plant benefits from federal Investment Tax Credits (ITC) under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and California's supportive regulatory environment. Heliocentric contributes to California's clean energy goals by generating emission-free electricity. Its output helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and supports grid stability. The plant's location in the Mojave Desert region ensures high solar irradiance, optimizing energy production. As part of the broader solar PV sector, Heliocentric exemplifies the shift toward decentralized renewable energy in the United States.
Environmental context
The facility is located in the Mojave Desert region of California, an area with high solar irradiance ideal for solar PV generation. The environmental context includes land-use considerations for solar arrays, which can affect desert ecosystems and wildlife. However, solar PV has minimal water use and no emissions during operation, contributing to reduced air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuel plants.
Frequently asked questions
Heliocentric is located in California, United States, at coordinates 34.6543° N, -117.971° W, in the Mojave Desert region.
Heliocentric has a capacity of 1.5 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale solar PV facility.
Heliocentric is owned by Heliocentric LLC, a private entity.
Solar PV in the US benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which extends the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), and state-level Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) like California's 60% renewable target by 2030.
Heliocentric generates emission-free electricity, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and supporting California's RPS and the US's clean energy transition.