Ameresco completes energy overhaul for New York school district | Projects Weekly
This week on Projects Weekly, two school districts around the U.S. are getting solar project facelifts courtesy of Ameresco and OPTERRA Energy Services. Additionally, Canada’s PowerBank Corp. has executed a grid interconnection agreement for its Nova Scotia-based solar array, and Aligned Climate Capital has secured financing for two solar projects in Delaware. Elsewhere in the solar financing world, CIM Group’s Permanent Power Company has announced the closure of a $600 million construction financing facility for a project in California. Catalyst Power and Connecticut Green Bank have also partnered for solar deployments around the state of Connecticut, and Morrison-backed Chrysalis is acquiring two projects in Arizona from Hanwha Renewables. Finally, Sabanci Renewables and Meta have linked up for a long-term PPA in Texas. Keep reading for all the details!
PowerBank executes interconnection agreement for Nova Scotian solar project
Canadian solar developer PowerBank Corp. has announced its execution of an interconnection agreement for its 3.15 MWdc Petpeswick community solar project.
Located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the project is expected to power about 288 homes annually, generating $1.727 million in lifetime savings. By connecting to the wider grid, the project is reaching a “key milestone,” according to PowerBank, as it confirms a clear, government approved path to give solar power to Canada’s Bluenose Province.
“Given the successful completion of the SSGIA and the receipt of necessary permits from the municipality, PowerBank will now be proceeding to environmental permitting,” the company says. “PowerBank targets commencement of ground preparation in the Fall of 2026 for the Petpeswick project, subject to final permitting and financing.”
Bright spot: Owned by the AI Renewable Flow-through Fund, the project is one of three community solar endeavors in Nova Scotia for PowerBank. Community solar practices are a cornerstone of the province’s commitment to environmental sustainability, which includes achieving 80% renewable energy by 2030, and net-zero emissions by 2035.
PowerBank currently has 50 MW of community solar projects completed in the U.S., with more to come in Canada.
Catalyst Power, Connecticut Green Bank partner for Connecticut solar deployments
Retail power and renewable energy provider Catalyst Power and Connecticut Green Bank have partnered for financing of five solar projects across the state of Connecticut.
Totaling 1.025 MWdc throughout Trumbull and state capital Hartford, the projects are primarily located on the rooftops of commercial buildings. Once complete, the projects are expected to avoid more than 500 metric tons of carbon emissions throughout the Constitution State.
“The Connecticut Green Bank’s work is critical to maintaining momentum for commercial solar in the state,” says Gabriel Phillips, CEO of Catalyst Power. “This size of project is becoming increasingly difficult to deploy as project economics face growing pressure from rising costs, financing complexity, and federal incentive volatility.”
Bright spot: Phillips adds that the bank’s ability to work with commercial energy providers allows for scalable renewable energy. Perhaps even more crucially, the partnership can serve as a model going forward for future renewable energy investments in the state.
“This partnership reflects our mission to accelerate investment into Connecticut’s green economy,” says Bert Hunter, EVP and CIO of Connecticut Green Bank. “By working with private sector partners like Catalyst Power, we can help reduce barriers to deployment, attract private capital into the state, and support scalable clean energy development that benefits local communities.”
Aligned Climate Capital closes on construction financing for Delaware solar projects
Aligned Climate Capital has closed $33 million in construction financing for two Delawarean solar projects through its Aligned Solar Partners 6 (ASP6) fund.
Bridgeville’s Rifle Range Solar and Delaware Avenue Solar in Harrington are both under construction as of June 2026. Both projects are also participating in Delaware’s Community Energy Facility program, meaning at least 15% of subscribers come from low-income households.
“These projects reflect why we continue to invest in the middle market of solar,” says Peter Davidson, CEO of Aligned Climate Capital. “Community solar is an important part of the nation’s energy infrastructure, delivering clean power close to the communities that use it. Live Oak Bank understands how to finance projects like these, and their support will help move Rifle Range Solar and Delaware Avenue Solar toward commercial operation.”
Bright spot: Together, the projects are expected to provide 18.2 GWh of solar energy per year, serving an estimated 1,661 homes in the First State. Between the development team at ReWild Renewables and construction team at Solar Gaines, the projects are also expected to support about 141 construction and installation jobs.
“These projects bring local jobs, carbon reduction and electricity savings to communities like Bridgeville and Harrington, and we are pleased to help move both sites toward commercial operation,” says Jennifer Williams, managing director of renewable energy lending at Live Oak Bank.
Ameresco modernizes Mount Sinai School District energy infrastructure
Energy infrastructure firm Ameresco has announced a “comprehensive” renewable energy project for the Mount Sinai School District, located in New York. Construction began on the projects in May 2026, and is expected to see completion by the end of 2027.
The district-wide project will see nine different measures to replace aging building systems, reduce operational costs, and support a more resilient energy grid across three schools, the company says. Valued at more than $10 million, the projects include rooftop solar arrays at each school, as well as transformer replacements, upgraded energy management systems, and full replacements of all LED lighting.
“This partnership reflects the Mount Sinai School District’s ongoing commitment to maintaining safe, efficient, and modern learning environments for our students while being responsible stewards of taxpayer resources,” says Dr. Christine Criscione, the district’s superintendent. “Through these upgrades, we are investing in our facilities, improving operational efficiency, and creating opportunities for students to connect with real-world energy and sustainability initiatives for years to come.”
Bright spot: Technology and science teachers around the district will be able to get hands-on student experience from the project, using live data from the installed systems. Ameresco says the company aims to expose students to career opportunities in engineering and installation through these practices.
“Mount Sinai School District is taking a thorough approach to energy infrastructure that will benefit its students and community for decades,” says Louis Maltezos, co-president of Ameresco. “By blending operational upgrades with educational components, this project creates real, lasting value in the classroom and throughout the district’s facilities.”
Chrysalis Renewables acquires two U.S. solar projects from Hanwha
Backed by global infrastructure manager Morrison, investment platform Chrysalis has announced its acquisition of the Atlas V and Atlas VI solar projects in the U.S.
The deal marks the first transaction between Chrysalis and new business partner Hanwha, which was announced in February 2026. As part of the terms of the deal, Chrysalis will acquire Hanwha-developed projects that meet investment criteria; Atlas V and VI represent the first projects to meet all criteria and move through this partnership model.
Together, Atlas V and VI have a combined capacity of about 357 MWdc, officials say, and both projects are in the final stages of commissioning. As part of the first two stages of La Paz, Arizona’s Atlas Energy Park, the two projects are a major piece of one of the largest renewable energy developments in the U.S.
“The acquisition of the Atlas projects marks an important milestone for Chrysalis, increasing its generation capacity to approximately 700MW while significantly expanding its regional footprint,” says Morrison partner Gordon Hay. “The transaction also advances Chrysalis’ portfolio diversification strategy by adding a generation profile that complements its existing assets.”
Bright spot: Under the full terms of the partnership agreement, Chrysalis will initially target more than 3.5 GW worth of solar and battery storage deployment in North America. The collaboration has the potential to eventually expand its asset portfolio to Japan, Australia, Italy, and other regions over time.
“This transaction demonstrates the breadth and value of Hanwha’s integrated renewable energy platform,” says Rich Chung, CIO of Hanwha Renewables. “Hanwha affiliates are supporting the full lifecycle of these assets — from development, EPC, and domestic module supply to asset management and long-term O&M. That integrated model is central to Hanwha’s value proposition and increasingly differentiated in a market that demands supply chain certainty, construction capability, operating discipline, and alignment with long-term capital.”
Permanent Power Company closes on $600M for Grape Solar and Energy Storage
CIM Group subsidiary Permanent Power Company has announced the closure of a $600 million construction financing facility for the development of Grape Solar and Energy Storage in California.
A 246.4 MWac solar project with a 150 MWac / 600 MWh battery attached, the project is located in Westlands Solar Park in the San Joaquin Valley. The solar park currently encompasses more than 20,000 acres of land, just east of the San Francisco Bay Area.
“This financing is an important milestone for Permanent Power Company that reflects the confidence our capital partners have in our ability to develop and deliver large-scale power generation and energy storage projects,” says Avi Shemesh, co-founder and principal of CIM Group. “Grape is particularly notable given that an investment-grade offtaker signed a long-term PPA for its full solar and storage capacity prior to completion, underscoring both the strength of the project and the approach we bring to our platform.”
Bright spot: Already under construction, the project is expected to support more than 400 construction jobs in the San Joaquin Valley. Additionally, the solar and storage power will provide enough renewable energy for more than 86,000 California homes every year.
Upon completion, Grape will contribute to Permanent’s broader financing portfolio, the company says. In total, that portfolio comprises about 1.2 GWac of solar and 690 MWac / 2.76 GWh of battery storage.
Cupertino Union School District and OPTERRA complete sustainability project
The Cupertino Union School District (CUSD) and OPTERRA Energy Services have completed a district-wide sustainability infrastructure project, including 5.2 MW of solar across district facilities.
Funded through a tax-exempt lease agreement and IRA-related federal support, the project includes EV charging infrastructure and emergency backup power. According to Stacy Yao, the district’s superintendent, the area’s most recent master plan prioritized energy efficiency going into the 2020s.
“This project reflects our long-term commitment to environmental stewardship,” Yao says, “while also creating meaningful STEM learning opportunities tied to our energy project that help prepare students for the jobs of the future.”
Bright spot: Aimed to strengthen the district’s energy resilience, as well as reduce its carbon footprint, the project also provides educational opportunities for students, officials say. The project incorporates “hands-on STEM education opportunities” surrounding renewable energy and environmental sustainability.
Additionally, the project will connect real-world infrastructure from the project with educational programming through the district’s Extended Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P).
“This project demonstrates Cupertino’s leadership in sustainability, fiscal responsibility, and innovation,” says Courtney Jenkins, CEO of OPTERRA Energy Services. “By investing in clean energy infrastructure and student engagement opportunities, the District is creating a more resilient and forward-thinking learning environment for students, staff, and the broader community. We’re proud to partner with CUSD on this important initiative.”
Sabanci Renewables bolsters U.S. growth with Meta PPA
Sabanci Renewables, the energy arm of Turkish conglomerate Sabanci Holding, has secured a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with tech giant Meta.
Under the terms of the agreement, Meta will receive 100% of the environmental attributes from the Lucky 7 and Pepper solar projects, the company says. Sabanci’s U.S.-based energy platform currently has a total capacity of 790 MWdc, and Lucky 7 and Pepper Solar are expected to support more than 600 jobs during construction.
“Entering into a long-term renewable energy agreement with Meta is an important step for Sabanci Renewables as we continue to grow our presence in the United States,” says Tolga Kaan Doğancıoğlu, strategic investments and operations president of Sabanci Group. “For Sabanci Renewables, it also marks another strategic milestone in our US market journey and reinforces our focus on building durable partnerships with institutional and corporate off-takers.”
Bright spot: The agreement also reflects Sabanci’s “continued focus” on renewable energy investments in the U.S. The projects will support the state of Texas and its consistently rising need for energy infrastructure, as the ERCOT grid continues to experience strain in the Lone Star State.
Both Lucky 7 and Pepper Solar are expected to see completion and full energization in Texas in the second half of 2027. Once online, the two projects will become a part of Sabanci’s growing utility-scale portfolio in the U.S., where it hopes to see even more projects come online in the medium- to long-term future.
