The Mojave Desert in California, in the rain shadow of the Sierra Mountains, is a place of superlatives. It spreads over 81,000 square miles, and is home to Death Valley which is the lowest elevation in the world. Now its bounteous sunshine added another superlative. Mojave hosts the Edwards Sanborn Solar and Energy Storage project. This has grown to be the world’s largest battery storage system, serving the highest capacity solar farm in the United States.
More About World’s Largest Battery Storage System
The project statistics for the world’s largest battery storage system, and associated solar farm nearing completion are impressive:
- 9 million solar panels capturing Mojave sunlight.
- Some 3,320 megawatts direct current electricity.
- Over 3,000 megawatt hours of battery capacity.
- Some 120,720 batteries to store this electricity.
NASA’s Earth Observatory advises the giant project went online in February 2023, and completed in January 2024. The site benefits from some of the largest volume of solar energy reaching earth, 60 miles north of Los Angeles.
The area set aside for this purpose spreads over private land, and underutilized parts of Edwards Air Force Base. This initiative could become the largest private-public collaboration in U.S. Department of Defense History.
This Deserted Spot is a Hotbed for Renewables
The corner of a vast desert chosen for the Edwards Sanborn battery-solar project is also ideal for wind power. Rows of giant wind turbines populate high spots to the north where reliable winds blow.
These rise in the Pacific Ocean before they funnel down Tehachapi Pass. At this point the winds accelerate on the back of a venturi, increasing wind speed while reducing pressure.
It is thrilling to see a giant project like this turning the land of Death Valley into a better life for all. We truly do have everything we need to live responsibly in harmony with nature, and the natural forces surrounding us.
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Multi-Gigawatt Battery Projects Come Closer
