North America PV News Snippets

Duke Energy gets Meijer as offtaker for 250 MW solar project; Primergy selects Kiewit and Terrasun as project partners for Gemini Solar Project; SEIA releases report on community solar siting in US; DSD Renewables secures $200 million from Ares Management.

Meijer turns offtaker for 250 MW solar plant: American grocery store chain Meijer of Michigan in the US has signed a renewable energy virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions for some part of a 250 MW solar installation. The project currently under construction in Navarro County of Texas is expected to be complete by the end of 2022. Under the VPPA signed, Meijer has committed for a portion of energy generated by the Pisgah Ridge Solar Project for the initial 15 years of its operation. Meijer said each year the facility will generate close to 200,000 MWh for the 1^st year dedicated to the company. It will help the company lower its carbon footprint as it aims to reduce 50% of its absolute carbon emissions by 2025. The retail chain targets to enter several strategic partnerships to achieve the goal, it said and that the partnership with Duke Energy is the 1^st of several such collaborations.

Primergy announces Gemini project partners: Solar and storage project developer in the US, Primergy Solar LLC is moving forward on its 966 MW DC/690 MW AC Gemini Solar Project in Nevada with 1,416 MWh storage facility with all key supply and construction partners selected. Kiewit Power Constructors has come on board as EPC partner with IHI Terrasun Solutions as the battery storage integrator. Maxeon Solar Technologies is already hired to provide its bifacial modules for what is being hailed as one of North America's largest solar and battery storage projects (see Maxeon Lands 1.8 Million Bifacial Module Order For US). The facility is scheduled to complete construction in 2023.

SEIA report on community solar: Community Solar installations in the US added up to over 3.6 GW at the end of Q3/2021, and is expected to add another 4.5 GW over the next 5 years. To ensure its sustained growth to contribute to the national target of zero-carbon electricity, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has proposed a siting framework for such projects. The report writers believe the siting, design and operation of such projects should maximize preservation of the country's natural capital while enhancing ecosystem services, minimizing permanent negative impacts of land. SEIA says, "A well-established body of law can be used to help guide the sensible development of renewable energy projects. A fact-based approach should consider the overall need for renewable energy and the ecosystem benefits of solar installations alongside the potential impacts and aesthetic concerns." The report can be read on the association's website.

Ares invests in DSD Renewables: Blackrock Real Assets backed Distributed Solar Development (DSD) Renewables has raised $200 million preferred equity investment from a fund managed by the Infrastructure and Power strategy of alternative investment manager Ares Management Corporation. DSD plans to deploy the proceeds to expand its future projects pipeline in the commercial and industrial (C&I) market, grow its developer network, support corporate needs and provide readily accessible capital for asset acquisitions. Currently, DSD counts its pipeline of solar and energy storage projects as exceeding 1 GW. Back in December 2021, DSD raised $300 million debt facility from Credit Suisse (see $300 Million Financing For Distributed Solar Development).