400 MW solar capacity online: EDP Renewables North America (EDPR NA) has commissioned 400 MW of solar PV capacity in the US. These comprise the 140 MW Wolf Run Solar Project and the 110 MW Hickory Solar Project, both in Southern Illinois and have been online since November 2024. The third is the 150 MW Cattlemen II Solar Project in Texas, which came online in December 2024. Technology giant Microsoft has agreed to purchase 389 MW of electricity and renewable energy credits (REC) from these projects under long-term virtual power purchase agreements (VPPA). Microsoft says these projects support its sustainability and carbon reduction goals.
Financial close for 250 MW project: Renewable energy companies DESRI and Ranger Power have announced financial close for their 250 MW AC Show Me State Solar Power Plant in Callaway County, Missouri, US. The project is now under construction with commercial operations scheduled to begin in 2026. This $500 million project is contracted under a power purchase agreement (PPA) with an affiliate of Meta. Financing was arranged from a consortium of lenders including the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) as left lead arranger, plus Nord/LB, Royal Bank of Canada, and Bank of America.
220 MW solar plant in Michigan: US utility Consumers Energy will build a 220 MW utility-scale solar project in Michigan as part of its Clean Energy Plan, under which it aims to add over 8 GW of renewable energy by 2040. It entails eliminating coal as an energy source from its portfolio by 2025. The Liberty Farms Solar facility is scheduled to enter construction in 2026 in Kalamazoo County near Richland Township. On completion, it will supply enough electricity to power 52,000 homes annually. According to the utility, renewable energy from the project will supply its commercial and residential customers enrolled in its voluntary Renewable Energy Program.
New solar EPC company launched: A team of solar PV industry veterans has launched a ‘sustainability-focused’ EPC company called Aquila Energy. Its aim, according to the company, is to redefine traditional industry processes and drive higher value for on-time, on-budget outcomes for developers, IPPs, partners and communities. Aquila’s CEO Brian Barker previously worked with EPC and O&M company Borrego for over 8 years.
$15 million credit facility for solar: Alberta, Canada-based renewable energy developer Universal Kraft Canada Renewables has raised a $15 million credit facility, expandable to up to $50 million. It will use the debt facility to bring online 1.7 GW of solar energy portfolio in Alberta. A joint venture between Universal Kraft and Korkia, Universal Kraft Canada Renewables raised this credit facility from American asset-based lender Crayhill Capital Management.
Premier Energies’ US manufacturing plans: Indian solar PV manufacturer Premier Energies Limited is reviewing its previously declared plans to establish a 1.2 GW solar cell manufacturing plant in the US. It is awaiting clarity on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentives under the new Trump government before executing the project. Premier Energies had previously announced a joint venture partnership with Heliene to develop a 1 GW n-type TOPCon solar cell factory in the US (see Heliene & Premier Energies Collaborate For US Solar Cell Factory).
Financing for operational US projects: US developer, owner and operator of behind-the-meter solar energy assets White Pine Renewables has secured a loan to finance its 2 operating solar power projects in California. Financing from the Beneficial State Bank and Energetic Capital will cover its projects that serve the local power needs of the Feather Water District in Sutter County and Kettleman City Community Services District in Kings County. The Feather Water Project has an elevated carport solution that maximizes energy generation while enabling the district to fully access its irrigation ponds. White Pine has installed a high-density racking system from Planted Solar for the Kettleman project to maximize energy generation on a small site footprint.
Land for 39 MW AC project: Solar and battery storage real estate investment company SolaREIT has completed the land purchase process for a 39 MW AC solar project in Pennsylvania. It secured the transaction for a Denham Capital portfolio company, Solops. An independent power producer (IPP) of solar PV projects in the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment, Solops has developed over 3 GW of projects across 30 US states. The SolaREIT transaction will enable Solops to leverage the proceeds of the land purchase as a lower-cost alternative to traditional development capital for other projects in its pipeline, explained SolaREIT.