J&B delivers 175 MW solar plant: US-based utility-scale contractor J&B Solar has delivered a 175 MW solar power plant in Michigan’s Montcalm County weeks ahead of schedule, and within budget. The company said the project entered construction in May this year. It installed 46,000 steel piles and mounted 320,000 of VSUN’s 550 W solar panels. The company claims it achieved 100% compliance with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and 95% union labor compliance through a tailored project labor agreement.
Greek firm expands in Canada: Greek multinational industrial and energy company Metlen Energy & Metals has opened its North American headquarters in Calgary in Canada’s Alberta province. Metlen says this provides it with unique opportunities to enhance operations and develop solar projects across the province. The company entered the Canadian market in 2023 by acquiring 1.4 GW of solar power projects in Alberta from Westbridge Renewable Energy. Globally, Metlen’s renewable energy portfolio stands at 11 GW in 40 countries.
7 MW community solar farm online: Community solar company Nautilus Solar Energy has opened a 7 MW community solar project on a remediation site in Sanford, Maine in the US. Formerly used as a circuit board recycling facility by CGA Inc., the land is a combination of city-owned land and abutting property belonging to the Maine Turnpike Authority. Nautilus says it worked with the original developer of the project Walden Renewables Development to finalize this project. It will provide clean electricity to over 960 subscribers in the Central Maine Power (CMP) utility territory. The 7 MW Sanford project qualified under Maine’s Net Energy Billing (NEB) program that enables local residents and businesses to subscribe to Nautilus Community Solar.
SolaREIT’s exceeds $3 billion financing: Solar and battery energy storage real estate investment company SolaREIT, based out of Virginia, US, has reported a $3 billion milestone. Since its founding, it has provided more than $3 billion in financing for solar and energy storage real estate projects in 18 US states. The company provides financial solutions to developers and project owners to allow them to monetize land and lease value, free up capital, or reduce lease costs.
125 MW solar PPA in the US: US-based renewable energy developer rPlus Energies has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with local utility Idaho Power for a 125 MW solar power plant in Idaho, US. Located in Ada County, the Pleasant Valley Solar 2 facility is phase II of the Pleasant Valley project. The company had earlier developed phase I of the project with 200 MW capacity. Both projects will deliver solar energy to Idaho Power’s grid and support Meta’s goal to operate its data center located nearby in Kuna with 100% renewable energy. While Pleasant Valley Solar 1 is under construction, Pleasant Valley Solar 2 will enter construction in late 2024.
Skycorp files IPO papers with the SEC: Chinese solar PV cables and connectors manufacturer Skycorp Solar Group has submitted its initial public offering (IPO) request with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). According to local media reports, it targets to offer 2.7 million shares priced within $4 to $5/share to raise up to $12 million through this IPO. It wants to be listed on the Nasdaq under the symbol PN.
260 MW RE agreement: Engie North America and Meta have signed an Environmental Attributes Purchase Agreement (EAPA) for the 260 MW Sypert Branch Solar Project in Texas’ Milam County. Under this agreement, Engie will supply 100% of the facility’s output to Meta once the project is online in late 2025. The project is located around 10 miles from Meta’s data center in Temple, Texas. Engie said this agreement will add to the more than 12 GW of renewable energy procurement already announced by Meta. Once operational, the project will add to the existing Engie portfolio of around 8 GW of renewable energy projects including solar, wind and battery storage in operation or under construction across North America.