CSUB Solar & Battery Advanced Shovel-Ready SLPPA

The Trustees of the California State University are requesting proposals to select one qualified Site License Power Purchase Agreement (SLPPA) Provider to finance, construct, own, operate, maintain, and ultimately remove or transfer a solar and battery energy storage system at California State University, Bakersfield, with proposals due September 16, 2026 and a mandatory job walk on August 5, 2026.

The system comprises a 4.55 MWdc / 3.5 MWac ground-mounted solar photovoltaic array paired with 2.93 MW / 11.75 MWh battery energy storage (three Tesla Megapack 2 XL units) configured as a 21.6 kV behind-the-meter, non-export interconnection with PG&E. The awardee must possess California Contractors State License Board Class A and C-10 classifications, demonstrate medium-voltage electrical experience at 12 kV or higher, and prove competency in protective relay configuration, non-export control, intentional island operation, battery energy storage integration, and integrated solar-BESS commissioning. The awardee must comply with prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements and evidence financial capacity and credible financing.

The Successful Proposer must assume and incorporate into its all-inclusive power purchase agreement pricing a bundled Project Advancement and Procurement Cost of $5.745 million, comprising $1.996 million due November 18–24, 2026, and $3.749 million in post-Notice to Proceed vendor-schedule procurement obligations. The PPA rate must be stated to four decimal places, exclude Renewable Energy Credits and Environmental Attributes (reserved for Trustees), include all construction, operating, maintenance, warranty, and other costs, and include any annual escalator not exceeding 2.0%. The PPA term is twenty years with guaranteed Year 1 solar production of 7,675,565 kWh at 0.50% annual degradation. Battery energy storage annual availability must meet at least 98%. Project Completion is required by December 1, 2027, with liquidated damages of $3,500 per calendar day for late delivery. The Notice to Proceed is anticipated for November 25–26, 2026, with intent to award between September 23 and October 6, 2026. The RFI deadline is August 12, 2026, with RFI responses issued August 19, 2026.