RWE and Meta have signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) for electricity from the 298 MW Rabbit’s Foot Solar project in Bowie County, Texas. The facility is currently under construction, with commercial operations expected by the end of 2027. The project will support Meta’s commitment to matching its operations with 100% clean energy. RWE says it is expected to create nearly 200 construction jobs. Over the next 40 years, it is projected to generate around $50 million in tax revenue for local schools, educational institutions, emergency services, and infrastructure projects.
The agreement is the 4th renewable energy deal between RWE and Meta since 2024, bringing the companies’ total contracted capacity to 872 MW. This includes contracts signed for 374 MW AC in 2024 (see Meta Invests In 2 New Solar Farms With 374 MW Combined Capacity).
Solar manufacturer TOYO Co., Ltd. has signed 2 supply agreements with major US solar energy developers that were not identified. The company claims it has secured cumulative purchase orders worth approximately $185.6 million. Under the contracts, TOYO will provide high-efficiency solar modules for commercial and utility-scale projects across the US, including sites in Texas, New York, and Maine.
The company said the agreements reflect growing demand for its solar products and strengthen its position in the US market. TOYO noted that the modules will be produced using non-Chinese wafer sourcing channels and are intended to meet the country’s evolving Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC)-compliance guidelines and domestic-content requirements. TOYO is named in a new antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) complaint by AASMT that accuses it of using China-linked solar wafers in its modules (see New US Petition Targets Ethiopia Solar Imports). TOYO recently announced plans to build a 1.5 GW HJT solar cell factory in Texas (see TOYO Announces 1.5 GW US HJT Solar Cell Factory).
US-based independent solar and energy storage producer MN8 Energy has commenced commercial operations at 2 utility-scale solar projects in the US. With a combined 260 MW of renewable energy capacity, these projects are contracted under long-term agreements with Microsoft. The projects include the 120 MW Long Point Solar facility in Brazoria County, Texas and the 140 MW American Beech facility in Halifax County, North Carolina.
The new facilities will supply solar power to key electricity markets, with Long Point serving the ERCOT Houston region and American Beech delivering energy into the PJM Interconnection network. MN8 said the projects support growing energy demand and contribute to Microsoft’s sustainability objectives. “These projects deliver new capacity to two critical power markets while helping Microsoft achieve their energy goals,” said Moe Hanifi, SVP, Head of Revenue and Commodities at MN8 Energy.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has announced that MSolar Manufacturing will invest nearly $23.8 million to establish a 56,000-square-foot solar panel manufacturing facility in the state. It will be located at Mount Jackson, Shenandoah County. The project is expected to create 150 jobs and support the production of high-efficiency solar modules for utility-scale and commercial energy projects.
The Virginia-based company plans to manufacture solar glass, silicon cells, heterojunction (HJT) cells, and completed solar panels at the new facility, as per the governor’s office. It will enable the production of more than half a million HJT solar panels annually. State and local officials said the investment will strengthen Virginia’s manufacturing sector, support domestic solar production, and contribute to regional economic growth.
The Government of Canada has announced CAD 15 million in funding for the Turning Sun Solar Project, a 100 MW solar facility under construction near Estevan, Saskatchewan. The project is one of the largest solar energy developments in Saskatchewan and among the largest renewable energy projects currently being built in Canada. Located on the traditional territory of Ocean Man Nakoda Nation, it includes 10% Indigenous ownership and is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 25,000 homes once operational. The federal government says the investment will help expand renewable energy generation, support grid reliability, create jobs, and contribute to economic growth.
It has provided federal funding for the project under the government’s Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREP), a CAD 4.5 billion program to support grid modernization, energy storage and non-emitting generation across the country.
The State Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee in California has advanced SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act. Designed to make it easier for residents to install small plug-in solar systems on balconies, patios and single-family homes, the proposal is aimed at reducing regulatory barriers for apartments, condominiums and single-family houses. The bill, authored by Senator Scott Wiener, has already passed the state Senate and is scheduled for consideration by the Assembly Appropriations Committee in August 2026, according to the Environmental Working Group.
Apex Clean Energy has sold a 28 MW DC portfolio of Illinois community solar projects to distributed generation company SolAmerica Energy. The portfolio includes 4x7 MW projects across Ameren and ComEd service territories developed under Illinois’ community solar program. Apex says the deal is its 2nd distributed energy portfolio sale within 6 months and its 1st transaction with SolAmerica.
The projects under the transaction are scheduled to begin commercial operations in 2027. SolAmerica says the acquisition supports its strategy to expand its solar and battery storage portfolio. Apex’s distributed energy resources pipeline currently totals about 950 MW DC across 12 US states.
QE Solar has acquired the operations and maintenance (O&M) division of renewable energy EPC company Vanguard Energy Partners. QE says the deal expands its renewable energy service platform and strengthens its capabilities in solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) operations across the US. With this acquisition, QE secures Vanguard’s O&M workforce, customer base, and operational expertise in the O&M space. It will help QE expand its support services for commercial and utility-scale renewable energy assets.
QE Solar said the move will improve its ability to provide maintenance, technical field services, remote monitoring, commissioning, and battery storage support as demand for renewable energy infrastructure continues to grow. Vanguard said it will continue to focus on its core EPC and development business.