Grace Orchard Energy Center
Riverside County
Description
A 500-megawatt solar facility with substation, maintenance building and 36 transmission poles across 395 gross acres plus 3,310 acres of county-owned private land, found consistent with the Blythe compatibility plan only after new airport-safety conditions were negotiated.
Impact summary
The delay gives the airport manager time to review the solar glare study before the commission decides whether the project is compatible with Blythe Airport.
Applicant
- Name
- Grace Orchard Energy Center, LLC (Representative: NextEra Energy Resources)
- Address
- 7990 Megin Avenue, Blythe area, Riverside CountySee this on the map
At a glance
- Hearings
- 3
- Public comments
- 10
- Total mentions
- 3
Last vote
A recommendation. The council’s outcome is not on record here.
Last discussed Jun 11, 2026.
Meeting timeline (3)
(ALUC) Riverside County Airport Land Use Commission - Regular Meeting — June 11, 2026
A 500-megawatt solar facility with substation, maintenance building and 36 transmission poles across 395 gross acres plus 3,310 acres of county-owned private land, found consistent with the Blythe compatibility plan only after new airport-safety conditions were negotiated.
(ALUC) Riverside County Airport Land Use Commission - Regular Meeting — May 14, 2026
A 500-megawatt solar farm with substation and 36 transmission poles on ~3,700 acres near Blythe Airport, continued to June 11 over VOR interference and glare questions.
(ALUC) Riverside County Airport Land Use Commission - Regular Meeting — April 9, 2026
A 500-megawatt solar facility with substation, maintenance building and 36 transmission poles on 395 gross acres near Blythe Airport. Continued to May 14, 2026 pending glare study review.
Related issues (4)
Solar glare management near March Air Reserve Base runways
Solar carports near an active military runway can create glare for pilots. The Air Force reviewed the glare study and the project must use anti-reflective coatings or textured glass to cut reflections.
March Air Reserve Base compatibility plan amendment
The commission got a preview of the 2026 update to the March Air Reserve Base compatibility plan, including a second runway, new accident protection zones, a 50-foot observation clear zone, and a decision to keep larger noise-based zones rather than shrink them.
Blythe Airport navigational aid interference and solar development
A huge solar farm proposed near Blythe Airport was delayed a month so the airport manager can finish reviewing the solar glare study. It spans compatibility zones B1, C, D and E.
Electromagnetic interference threat to Blythe Airport VOR navigation
Blythe Airport already lost one instrument approach because of electromagnetic interference, and the airport director fears new power lines and solar panels could kill the only remaining ground-based navigation aid. Military and civilian flights depend on it. The commission wants real data before deciding the solar project's fate.
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