Conditional Use Permit No. 25-04 (Rex Solaire Solar and Storage Project)

The Kings County Community Development Agency is progressing with Conditional Use Permit No. 25-04 for the Rex Solaire Solar and Storage Project, a utility-scale photovoltaic and battery energy storage facility planned across approximately 20,600 acres in Kings County, California, near Interstate 5 and Utica Avenue. The project includes up to 2,800 megawatts alternating current of solar PV generation with tracking arrays, coupled with an 11.2 gigawatt-hour battery storage system, along with substations, underground collection systems, and a gen-tie line connecting to PG&E transmission switchyards. Additional infrastructure comprises telecommunications facilities and an operations and maintenance center. The permitting process is under the California Environmental Quality Act, with public review periods and environmental impact assessments guiding approvals. The site is characterized by geotechnical conditions evaluated through extensive soil sampling and laboratory testing per ASTM standards, including liquid and plastic limits, moisture content, dry density, specific gravity, pH, and California Bearing Ratio to ensure foundation stability and mitigate risks like liquefaction and erosion during construction and operation. The project is led by Rex Solaire Solar and Storage, LLC, with direct oversight from the Kings County Community Development Agency, represented by Planner III Noelle Tomlinson, alongside environmental planning consultants Rincon Consultants and developer Terra-Gen. While the solicitation is classified as a forecast and lacks formal federal contract elements such as FAR clauses, pricing, payment terms, or award evaluation criteria, the permitting process requires adherence to specific environmental and safety protocols. These include erosion control measures, hazardous materials management, perimeter fencing, surveillance systems, and controlled access, all tied to regulatory compliance rather than contractual obligations. Inspections and acceptance occur at the project site with responsibility shared between the developer and the county agency. Submission pathways and public engagement are facilitated via email, virtual meetings, and state clearinghouse channels, with no UEI, CAGE code, or socioeconomic certifications disclosed for the applicant. The timeline reflects public scoping and comment periods extending into mid-2026, with no defined contract start or end date, nor any identified financial value or invoicing mechanism—indicating this remains a regulatory permitting action rather than a federally awarded contract.