Janus Solar and BESS Project | RWE in the Americas

Project introduction

RWE Renewables is working with the Paul and Jeralyn Favero Revocable Trust to request a Conditional Use Permit for Janus Solar and BESS. The project site is located approximately 6.5 miles west/southwest from the City of Williams.

The establishment of a solar farm will create job opportunities for local residents, from temporary construction jobs to permanent positions to operate the solar farm. Restaurants, fueling stations, hotels, RV parks, hardware stores, mechanics, civil contractors, sanitation services, gravel quarries, and many other local businesses will directly benefit from the solar farm's construction. Additionally, the taxes from this project will increase Colusa County’s capacity to fund schools, roads, water/sewer, irrigation, etc.

Status: In development

Site location

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Site location

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Facts & figures

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solar capacity

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BESS capacity

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local jobs

Project Benefits

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Water Savings

Minimal amount of water required during construction and even less during operation.

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Funding for Fire

Janus has committed to providing $300k annually to support fire protection services throughout the lifetime of the project. That’s approximately $16 million over the project’s 35 year lifespan.

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Economic Diversification

The project will diversify the County’s Economic Base, broadening the range of industries in the County while supporting ongoing agricultural activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the project impact public services or the environment?

To comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the County has prepared an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to identify any potentially significant environmental impacts and identify mitigation measures to reduce those impacts to less-than-significant levels. The EIR did not identify any significant and unavoidable impacts.
What happens if Colusa County approves the Conditional Use Permit?

The CUP approval is only the first step in this process. We will still have to apply for other permits and comply with all regulations and standards, including the California Building Code (and local Building Code), National Electrical Code, National Fire Protection (NFPA) Standards, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Certifications, and International Electrotechnical Commission Standards. We will similarly need to comply with all other conditions or standards for state and federal permits.
Are there any fire risks associated with the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) component of the project?

Yes. Any electrical facility poses at least some risk of fire. That said, Janus will use state-of-the-art technology, including smoke and gas detectors and fire suppression systems so that any fire within a battery facility is immediately extinguished. Janus has committed to providing $300k annually (over $10M over the life of the project) to support fire protection services throughout the lifetime of the project and will continue to work closely with the Williams Fire Protection Authority to ensure the risk of fire is minimal. These fees benefit the entire County and are mandatory even if there is never a call for service to the property.
Why should I care?

In addition to the social and economic benefits this project brings, it has become an issue of whether or not farmers have the right to use their property as they wish.
Does solar negatively affect surrounding agricultural activities?

No. The project will require close to no water during construction and even less during operation. Once operational, solar projects are silent and require little maintenance, so traffic to and from the project site will be comparable to existing conditions. At the end of the project life, the land may be returned to its current agricultural use.

Protecting the Environment and the Community

Janus Solar will be designed to complement existing agricultural land uses, protect the soil, and avoid negative impacts to wildlife. Solar farms produce electricity without generating any pollution, resulting in cleaner air and water when compared to traditional power plants. Comprehensive studies are required as part of the planning and permitting process to protect public safety and the environment. Janus Solar will be virtually silent outside the fence line, while setbacks and vegetative screening will minimize visual impacts. Janus Solar will use silicon-based PV panels, which are made of safe, welltested materials commonly used in building and household products.

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The panels are fully sealed and extremely durable, preventing trace metals from escaping into the surrounding soil. PV solar panels are so safe that millions of families across the U.S. have put solar panels on their homes and literally sleep beneath them. RWE’s advanced remote operations center will monitor the panels 24/7, 365 days a year while the onsite operations team will be available to respond in the unlikely event of an emergency. At the end of Janus Solar’s useful life, equipment, foundations and electrical collection systems will be removed and the land will be restored to its original condition. A decommissioning security is to be maintained with Colusa County to ensure the completion of this work.

Schedule Overview

Timeline of project phases from 2018 to 2060, including development, permitting, construction, and operations.

Lucero Weber

Community Engagement Organizer

RWE Clean Energy, LLC

101 West Broadway, Floor 11

San Diego, CA 92101

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Project introduction

Site location

Site location

Facts & figures

Will the project impact public services or the environment?

What happens if Colusa County approves the Conditional Use Permit?

Are there any fire risks associated with the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) component of the project?

Why should I care?

Does solar negatively affect surrounding agricultural activities?

Protecting the Environment and the Community

Lucero Weber

Community Engagement Organizer

RWE in the Americas