E-Group PS Solar Project

The E-Group PS Solar Project is a large-scale renewable energy development located in Twentynine Palms, California, encompassing approximately 477 acres. The project involves the entitlement, construction, and operation of a 50 MW photovoltaic solar facility situated on an 184-acre portion of the site. The technical scope includes the installation of roughly 160,000 solar panels mounted on 720 ground-mounted racks, supported by 170 inverters and an on-site transformer. The facility will connect to the Southern California Edison Carodean Substation via a dedicated generation interconnection line. To facilitate this development, the project requires several regulatory actions, including two General Plan Amendments to establish a new Renewable Energy land use district and re-designate 60 acres for single-family residential use, two Rezones, a Development Code Amendment to establish development standards, a Conditional Use Permit for the solar construction, and a Development Agreement to address community benefit responsibilities. Environmental and technical studies conducted for the project address a wide range of regulatory and ecological considerations. Hydrological and geotechnical assessments have evaluated flood hazards, drainage patterns, and subsurface conditions to ensure site stability and compliance with the California Building Code. Biological and habitat management plans are in place to mitigate impacts on special-status species, including desert tortoises and burrowing owls, through relocation and native vegetation restoration across approximately 140 acres. Additionally, the project includes comprehensive plans for air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, glare analysis, cultural resource management, and stormwater pollution prevention. The proposed construction schedule is slated to begin with land clearing in early 2027, with major building construction phases continuing through mid-2029.