AI- 7086
4.
P&Z Agenda Template
- Meeting Date:
- 05/10/2023
- Title:
- Docket SU 23-11 (Winchester Solar)
- Submitted By:
- Christine McLachlan, Development Services
- Department:
- Development Services
Presentation:
PowerPoint
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Christine McLachlan
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Planning Division Manager
Agenda Item Text:
Docket SU 23-11 (Winchester Solar) - An applicant initiated Special Use Authorization Request to construct, operate, and maintain a proposed Solar Energy Power Plant and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project on 3,584-acres of land.
Background:
The applicant, Winchester Solar I, LLC and Winchester Solar II, LLC, represented by Sara Born, requests a Special Use Authorization to construct, operate, and maintain a proposed Solar Energy Power Plant and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project on 3,584-acres of land. The property is located in unincorporated Willcox, Arizona on a combination of undeveloped private land and public land owned by the Arizona State Lands Division (ASLD). The area subject to this request is further described as follows: APN 203-01-024A (80.01 ac), a portion of APN 209-86-002A (620 ac), a portion of APN 203-01-036 (1,348 ac), Section 16, 14S, Range 24E (ASLD) (640 ac), Portion of the W 1/2 Section 15, 14S, 24E (ASLD) (210 ac), Portion of the NW 1/4, Section 21, 14S, 24E (ASLD) (75 ac), Portion of SE 1/4, Section 20, 14S, 24E (ASLD) (103 ac), SW 1/4 Section 19, 14S, 24E (ASLD) (160 ac), Portion of the NE 1/4 Section 30, 14S, 24E (ASLD) (146 ac), NW 1/4 Section 24, 14S, 23E (ASLD) (160 ac). The installation of a solar energy power plant and BESS is subject to site development standards contained in the Cochise County Zoning Regulations and requires Special Use Authorization from the Planning and Zoning Commission in a rural zoning district.
The Project would be comprised of rows of solar modules mounted on racking equipment that tracks the sun throughout the day. Inverters will be used to convert the power from direct current to alternating current and transformers will "step up" the power to transmission voltage. A battery energy storage system (BESS) is planned to be constructed as part of the Project which will require inverters, transformers, a cooling system and fire detection and prevention. Ultimately, the project will generate electricity to be sold under long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with an investor-owned utility and cooperative.
The Project would be comprised of rows of solar modules mounted on racking equipment that tracks the sun throughout the day. Inverters will be used to convert the power from direct current to alternating current and transformers will "step up" the power to transmission voltage. A battery energy storage system (BESS) is planned to be constructed as part of the Project which will require inverters, transformers, a cooling system and fire detection and prevention. Ultimately, the project will generate electricity to be sold under long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with an investor-owned utility and cooperative.