Rooftop solar aids affordable housing in Milwaukee | Projects Weekly
This edition of Projects Weekly highlights an initiative to bring rooftop solar to an affordable housing complex and community library in Milwaukee. Plus, Enel North America has completed its largest solar power plant in the United States, GreenSpark has begun construction on a rooftop solar array at the headquarters of one of the oldest foodbanks in the United States, BayWa r.e. has secured funding for the JVR Energy Park to provide solar for 57,000 homes in California, BridgePeak Energy Capital has facilitated a construction loan for a Gum Swamp solar project in North Carolina, Sunstone Credit has completed financing for a portfolio of 15 solar projects across multiple U.S. markets, Ecoplexus has closed on a credit facility accelerate its 13 GW solar and storage development pipeline, Origis Energy has secured a tax equity commitment and initial funding for its Wheatland Solar project in Indiana, and finally Standard Solar has acquired two community solar projects in Illinois. Also, we’re still basking in the glow of the 2025 Project of the Year Awards, so be sure to check out the winners here.
Milwaukee affordable housing taps rooftop solar to advance energy equity
SolarEdge Technologies and Arch Solar have teamed up to bring rooftop solar to a newly built affordable housing and community library complex in Milwaukee. The 191 kWdc installation is expected to offset 38% of the site’s total electricity usage, with projected savings of $35,000 in the first year and $1.68 million over the system’s lifetime.
The project is part of a broader initiative in Milwaukee to produce on-site renewable power in underserved neighborhoods. Serving a low-income neighborhood with 93 townhouse-style apartments and a newly renovated public library, the project supports long-term affordability by directly reducing utility costs for residents, including units allocated for reduced rent.
“Ease of installation, centralized monitoring, and consistency across multiple sites were key considerations,” said Andrew Holmstrom, business development supervisor at Arch Solar. “Managing three separate rooftops with different configurations is much simpler when you have a unified platform. The longer string design with power optimizers reduced our balance of system costs, with fewer homerun cables, less conduit, and reduced labor, while delivering reliable performance across all locations.”
Cool factor: The system provides more than 221 MWh in annual production. Arch Solar used a combination of SolarEdge SE50K and SE10K inverters and dual-input power optimizers, enabling longer string lengths, fewer homerun cables, and reduced balance-of-system (BoS) costs. This setup not only streamlined installation but also helped keep the project within tight budget parameters typical of affordable housing development.
While each building features a different ownership model, the system’s energy savings are designed to directly benefit both residential tenants and community operations, contributing to greater economic stability and quality of life.
“Affordable housing should come with affordable energy,” said Chuck Ellis, VP of commercial and industrial sales at SolarEdge. “This project demonstrates how smart solar design can deliver measurable impact where it matters most.”
Enel’s GulfStar solar project in company’s largest power plant in the U.S.
Enel North America has wrapped up construction on its largest power plant in the United States with the start of operations of the 556 MWdc GulfStar solar plant in Wharton County, Texas. Co-located with an operational 355 MWdc battery energy storage system (BESS), the combined plant is built with 911 MWdc of capacity.
GulfStar’s two-phase BESS reached initial commercial operation in late 2024. Enel is the third-largest battery storage operator in the United States, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights.
Cool factor: Vegetation at GulfStar Solar will be managed through sheep grazing, a sustainable dual-use solar practice that Enel expanded through the largest solar grazing agreement signed in the United States. The GulfStar solar and BESS facilities are expected to generate more than $200 million in combined local tax payments and income for landowners over their lifetimes. More than 1,200 workers were involved in GulfStar’s construction.
GreenSpark adds rooftop solar to power hunger relief
GreenSpark has kicked off construction on a rooftop solar array at Foodlink’s headquarters in Rochester, New York. As one of the oldest food banks in the United States, Foodlink serves as the hub of emergency food relief across a 10-county service area in the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region.
Through various programs, Foodlink works to address both the symptoms and root causes of food insecurity. Now, with the power and savings of renewable energy, Foodlink can do even more to advance its mission of ending hunger and building healthier communities.
“The solar energy project at Foodlink represents a clear commitment to our value of stewardship,” said Carl Simon, VP of infrastructure and sustainability at Foodlink. “Renewable energy produced at our headquarters will reduce our costs, allowing for more funds to go directly toward our mission of ending hunger and building healthier communities.”
Developed, installed and maintained by GreenSpark, the 679 kWdc rooftop solar array will provide Foodlink with a discount on all utility bill credits it generates — savings that will remain in place for the system’s more than 25-year lifespan. This stable source of long-term energy savings means that more of Foodlink’s resources can be directed toward nourishing the community alongside its network of member food pantries, meal programs, and other community partners.
“This project represents the best of what community partnerships can achieve,” said Kevin Schulte, CEO of GreenSpark Solar. “It’s a privilege to be part of a story where a local entrepreneur is using the success of a mission-driven business to invest in clean energy for a food bank that serves our most vulnerable neighbors. It’s a full-circle moment that reflects the power of local action driving lasting impact.”
Cool factor: The project was made possible through a unique partnership among three local entities: Foodlink, as the host of the solar array; GreenSpark, as the solar developer, installer and long-term operations and maintenance partner; and local renewable energy trailblazer and entrepreneur, Bob Bechtold.
“Jean and I have been investing in renewable energy projects since the early 1980s,” Bechtold said. “As a businessperson, you typically look for investments that yield a financial return. In this case, we wanted to invest in something meaningful, something that combines our passion for renewable energy with the value Foodlink provides to our community. That value is everlasting, and we simply don’t see how this investment could fail.”
In addition to supporting Foodlink’s mission, GreenSpark collaborated closely with Upstate Roofing, a local Rochester business, and Carlisle SynTec Systems to preserve and extend the existing roof warranty. This extra step ensures both the building and its new solar array remain protected for decades to come.
This new clean energy initiative builds on GreenSpark and Foodlink’s ongoing partnership, which began with the Curbside Market electrification project in 2021–2022, converting Foodlink’s mobile market vehicles to electric power and reducing carbon emissions in their operations. Together, these projects showcase the power of local collaboration to strengthen community resilience and sustainability.
The rooftop system is expected to reach mechanical completion by early December, with utility interconnection by the end of the year. A public ribbon-cutting event is planned for January 2026 to celebrate the project’s completion.
BayWa r.e. secures $416M JVR Energy Park in San Diego area
BayWa r.e. has closed financing for the Jacumba Valley Ranch (JVR) Energy Park, which includes 90 MWac / 127 MWdc of solar and 70 MWac / 280 MWh of battery storage in southeastern San Diego County, California. Once operational in 2026, the facility will supply reliable electricity to approximately 57,000 homes through San Diego Community Power (SDCP).
Having secured $416 million in funding commitments, construction is now underway following the project’s recent groundbreaking, marking the issuance of full notice to proceed under the construction agreement for one of the region’s most significant renewable energy infrastructure investments.
“Our team, local officials, permitting and financing partners, and our EPC and construction teams shared a clear goal, deliver a reliable, cost-efficient energy project that adds new capacity to the grid and creates lasting value for San Diego County,” said Geoff Fallon, interim CEO and COO of BayWa r.e. Americas. “Breaking ground on JVR Energy Park reflects that shared effort, and we’re deeply grateful to everyone who helped make it possible.”
Cool factor: The JVR Energy Park will create over 350 union construction jobs through project labor agreements, with long-term operational roles to follow. The project will generate labor and supply chain activity while boosting demand for local services such as lodging, fuel, and dining. Over its lifetime, JVR will contribute significant property tax revenue to support local schools, roads, and essential public services.
BayWa r.e. has also committed $4 million in direct investment to Jacumba Valley, which is being directed by input from the Jacumba Community Sponsorship Group, the County of San Diego, and a local resident survey. A fire protection agreement with the San Diego County Fire Authority designates five acres of project land for a new Jacumba fire station. The project also includes a 435-acre biological open space easement and avoids sensitive habitats, wetlands, and jurisdictional waters.
To fund construction and long-term operations, JVR secured a construction-to-term loan facility, led by Société Générale, as well as a preferred equity investment from funds managed by Wafra Inc., a New York-based global alternative investment manager. Acadia Infrastructure Capital, a North American power infrastructure investment manager, invested preferred equity in JVR alongside Wafra. The project has signed a tax credit transfer agreement with a large corporate buyer.
BridgePeak Energy Capital facilitates $144M for N.C. solar project
Utility-scale solar and energy storage development firm Headwater Energy has closed construction financing on a 112.5 MWdc solar project in North Carolina. The loan was arranged by BridgePeak Energy Capital LLC and funded in part by Pathward N.A. The Gum Swamp solar project is projected to generate renewable energy to power the equivalent of 17,000 North Carolina households annually, marking a significant expansion of solar energy capacity in the state.
“This financing marks an important milestone in Headwater’s continued growth and expansion as a long-term owner and operator of clean-energy assets,” said Michael Cohen, CEO of Headwater. “BridgePeak and Pathward have been exceptional partners whose support reflects the strength of our platform and our shared commitment to building reliable, scalable clean-energy infrastructure across the Southeast.”
Cool factor: The financing for the Gum Swamp project will allow Headwater to accelerate its growth in the Southeast, which already includes 177 MWdc of operational assets and a 2.8 GWdc development pipeline.
The loan was originated under Pathward’s energy lending program and a lender syndicate, with BridgePeak serving as lender service provider. The transaction is part of BridgePeak’s broader initiative to facilitate over $2 billion in energy project financing in 2025.
Sunstone completes financing for King Energy solar portfolio
Sunstone Credit Inc. has completed financing for its third commercial and industrial (C&I) solar program portfolio with King Energy. This expands the Sunstone-King Energy partnership to 15 commercial properties, supporting more than 5 MWdc of distributed solar capacity and generating over 8,000 MWh of electricity annually for tenants across multiple U.S. markets.
“Bringing cost-effective solar to everyday businesses is core to our mission,” said Josh Goldberg, cofounder and CEO of Sunstone Credit. “This portfolio demonstrates how purpose-built financing and strong development partners can expand clean energy access at scale. Working with King Energy allows us to reach hundreds of tenants who benefit directly from lower, more predictable energy costs.”
Cool factor: The program will deliver solar energy to over 300 local businesses, a majority of which operate in low and medium-income (LMI) communities. For many of these tenants, rooftop solar represents one of the most practical tools to counter rising energy costs while supporting sustainability priorities. By pairing Sunstone’s financing expertise with King Energy’s multi-tenant solar model, the partners continue to expand access to clean energy in a cost-effective, community-centered way.
King Energy develops, installs, and manages solar programs purpose-built for multi-tenant commercial properties. Through virtual net metering and its enterprise-grade OneBill platform, King Energy consolidates utility and solar charges into a single transaction, simplifying participation for tenants and enabling property owners to add revenue without operational burden.
Ecoplexus closes on $300M credit facility to support 13 GW development pipeline
Ecoplexus has closed a $300 million credit facility from capital accounts advised by KKR. The funding includes development capital and a letter of credit facility provided by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC). It will support the advancement of more than 13 GW of solar and storage projects across the United States.
“This financing marks an important milestone for our business and gives us the certainty and scale required to advance several GW of projects to start of construction in the near term,” said John Gorman, CEO of Ecoplexus.
Cool factor: Ecoplexus develops, finances and owns utility scale solar and storage projects in the United States and Japan. Since 2010, Ecoplexus has developed and financed projects across PJM, MISO, ERCOT, WECC and the Southeast.
“Securing this cost-effective capital solution strengthens our U.S. portfolio,” said Ed Campaniello, EcoPlexus senior VP of finance. “This facility will support over $2.5 billion of project finance, including investment partnerships in construction ready projects and the long term ownership of strategic assets.”
Origis Energy secures tax equity, funding for Wheatland Solar
Origis Energy has secured a tax equity commitment from J.P. Morgan for the Wheatland Solar project in Knox County, Indiana. The initial funding was made alongside the commitment, providing capital to Wheatland, a 210 MW solar project contracted under a 20-year PPA with CenterPoint Energy, to deliver renewable energy and grid resiliency at competitive rates.
“The team at Origis Energy is excited to achieve this milestone for Wheatland and looking forward to the project commencing operations in Q1 2026,” said Alice Heathcote, chief financial officer at Origis Energy. “This marks Origis’ fifth tax equity commitment with J.P. Morgan and we thank them for their ongoing partnership as we continue to deliver affordable, high-quality energy solutions for our customers.”
Cool factor: The Wheatland Solar project secured financing with MUFG in May 2025, as part of a portfolio financing that supports two major Origis Energy projects. The second project in the package is the Optimist Solar + Storage project in Clay County, Mississippi. Optimist will deliver 285 MW of solar power and 50 MW 4HR of energy storage in early 2026.
Latham & Watkins LLP represented Origis Energy in the transaction, supported by Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP as Indiana counsel.
Standard Solar adds 9 MW to portfolio in Illinois community solar acquisition
Standard Solar has acquired two additional community solar projects in Illinois from Cenergy Power, further expanding its footprint in the market. The Worden project in Worden, Illinois, is a 6.7 MW single-axis tracker community solar array expected to generate approximately 11,060 MWh of renewable energy in its first year of operation. The Zion Park District project, a 2.4 MW ground-mounted community solar array located in Zion, Illinois, is projected to produce 3,529 MWh of energy annually. Together, the projects will deliver nearly 15,000 MWh of renewable energy per year.
“Community solar projects like Worden and Zion Park District demonstrate how strong partnerships and strategic execution are helping us expand access to clean energy nationwide,” said Megan Byrn, VP of business development at Standard Solar. “By moving projects from development to operation quickly and strategically, we’re delivering meaningful cost savings for subscribers, strengthening the grid and accelerating the transition to a more sustainable energy future.”
Cool factor: These acquisitions build on Standard Solar’s previously announced Illinois community solar projects, including the March 2025 acquisitions of Zion and Kankakee County sites developed by Cenergy, which together totaled more than 9 MW and 14,000 MWh of annual production. With the addition of Worden and Zion Park District, Standard Solar’s portfolio of owned, operational, under-construction and contracted projects in Illinois now surpasses 35 projects and nearly 200 MWs.
Cenergy Power developed the projects, and Standard Solar will own and operate them to deliver long-term benefits for subscribers and local communities. Residents and businesses in the area can subscribe to these community solar projects, thereby lowering their electricity bills without the need to install solar panels on their property.
