BLM has opened a 200 MW solar power plant in Nevada for public feedback; Lightsource bp & AEP enter PPA for 188 MW DC PV; AEP sells 1.36 GW wind and solar portfolio to IRGAH; Entergy Texas' PPA with Umbriel for 202 MW DC PV; Silfab Solar starts shipping Elite modules to US installers.
BLM seeking public input for 200 MW solar plant: The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comments regarding the development of the 200 MW Dry Lake East Energy Center Solar Project in Clark County, Nevada. Feedback received will guide the US agency in the environmental assessment and regional mitigation strategy for the proposed project. BLM says this solar plant was one of the preferred applicants under a 2022 competitive auction it held for the area. The project is planned to be located on 1,635 acres of public land. The 30-day public scoping period will close on March 22, 2023.
Lightsource bp's 188 MW DC PPA with AEP: UK based solar projects developer Lightsource bp has announced a power purchase agreement (PPA) for 188 MW DC Honeysuckle Solar Project in the US with AEP Energy Partners (AEPEP). The project is expected to bring in around $30 million in new revenues to the local community on completion. Located in New Carlisle, Indiana, the solar power plant will be financed, built, owned and operated by Lightsource bp using First Solar panels, Array Technologies trackers and Nucor steel. Once its EPC company Inovateus Solar LLC brings the project online in 2024, power generated will be supplied to the American Electric Power (AEP) subsidiary.
AEP sells 1.36 GW RE Portfolio: AEP has sold its 1.365 GW unregulated, contracted renewables portfolio comprising 1.2 GW wind and 165 MW solar projects in the US to IRG Acquisition Holdings (IRGAH) for $1.5 billion enterprise value including project debt. The latter is a partnership between Invenergy, CDPQ and funds managed by Blackstone Infrastructure. The portfolio is made up of 14 projects spread across in 11 US states, all contracted under long-term agreements with various utilities, corporations and municipalities, according to Invenergy. Transaction is expected to close in Q2/2023.
Entergy's 150 MW solar PPA: US utility Entergy Texas has entered a PPA with US based renewable energy developer Umbriel Solar for 202 MW DC/150 MW AC solar PV capacity. It will be the sole offtaker of power from the Polk Country, Texas located facility. McCarthy Building Companies will build the project as its EPC contractor. It plans to bring the project online by 2023-end. Umbriel Solar will also supply a resource-based renewable energy offering or green energy tariff for Entergy Texas' customers under the latter's proposed Green Future program. This enables end consumers to use solar power without owning solar panels.
Silfab's Elite now shipping to US installers: Canada headquartered North American solar panel manufacturer Silfab Solar has started shipping its Elite brand of modules, made in the US, to installers across the country. These modules come with 410W output and 21.4% efficiency and are targeted towards the US residential solar segment. It was announced by the company in February 2021 (see Silfab New 21.4% Module For North American Homes).