Closed Maryland landfill site now generating solar power | Projects Weekly
This edition of Projects Weekly kicks off in Baltimore County, Maryland, where local leaders are celebrating the completion of a 7 MW solar project on a closed landfill site. Plus, XCharge has partnered with Wildhorse Resort & Casino in to deploy Oregon’s first solar + storage DC fast-charging EV station. Geronimo Power has begun construction on the 150 MW Bee Hollow Solar project in St. Clair County, Illinois. Lightsource bp and Pinnacle Financial Partners announced a $97.9 million tax equity deal for the Peacock Solar project in Texas. Dimension Energy has secured financing to support community solar projects across six states. PowerBank Corp. has executed lease and power purchase agreements with the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA) to support a 20 MWdc project portfolio. Read for all the details.
Baltimore County solar project brightens closed Parkton Landfill
Baltimore County executive Kathy Klausmeier celebrated the completion of the county government’s first large-scale ground-mounted solar array on the 213-acre closed Parkton Landfill site in Maryland. The project is expected to lower the county’s electricity costs over the long term, reduce its carbon emissions and repurpose an underutilized site for beneficial reuse.
“This project shows how Baltimore County can turn yesterday’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities,” Klausmeier said. “We are cutting costs for taxpayers and making investments that benefit our communities for decades.”
Cool factor: The Baltimore County solar project will account for about 11% of the county government’s annual electricity consumption, lowering current and future energy costs. The projected first-year annual electricity production is 8,220,710 kWh. The 7 MW system project consists of four large-scale arrays featuring a total of 15,000 ballasted ground-mounted photovoltaic panels.
Through a power-purchase agreement with TotalEnergies, who owns and operates the system, Baltimore Ccounty has locked in reduced electricity costs, which will insulate the county from escalating electricity costs for the entire 25-year contract term with renewal options up to 33 years. Upon the anticipated completion of the Hernwood Landfill ground-mounted solar project by 2028, the county expects to generate an equivalent of 55% of its electricity production from renewable power.
XCharge launches Oregon’s first solar + storage DC fast-charging EV station
XCharge North America partnered with Wildhorse Resort & Casino’s Arrowhead Travel Plaza to deploy four, dual-dispenser GridLink chargers. This new deployment in Pendleton, Oregon, will not only provide the travel plaza’s growing EV customer base with a fast, efficient, and reliable charging experience but will also serve as the first solar + storage DC fast-charging station in the state. This installation was strategically enabled by NetZero Energy LLC, which identified the initial opportunity for collaboration and provided essential services, including due diligence, system design, and comprehensive project management, acting as a pivotal partner in bringing this state-first deployment online.
“We partnered with XCharge NA because they provide a grid-friendly charging solution with battery storage that seamlessly integrates with a custom solar canopy, a perfect fit for our climate,” said Tom Fine, GM of Arrowhead Travel Plaza. “Their technology provides clear operational and economic advantages that assist Arrowhead Travel Plaza in providing a needed service for the broadening customer base.”
Cool factor: As part of the Wildhorse Resort & Casino enterprises on tribal lands of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Arrowhead Travel Plaza serves over 1.7 million vehicles on Interstate 84, a key transportation corridor. To support this demand with a sustainable and safe charging solution, XCharge’s installation integrates four 215 kWh GridLinks with 40 kW of solar, which can output up to 194 kW per unit. This technology not only ensures a reliable, high-speed charge for nearly all EV models but is particularly crucial for drivers traveling eastbound on the steep, weather-prone Cabbage Hill route, as a full charge is essential for safety.
This installation brings XCharge’s total U.S. footprint to 18 states. While the base capacity of the project is 215 kWh, it can be expanded to 430 kWh. GridLink provides advanced bidirectional charging technology, seamless grid integration, and renewable energy support, including direct integration with PV. The bidirectional charging technology allows power to flow back into the grid or act as an off-grid energy source, enhancing overall grid stability. This also allows GridLink to function off-grid in the event of an emergency. The system is equipped with an advanced thermal runaway management system, designed to monitor each battery pack with four dedicated sensors and control the system.
Geronimo Power breaks ground on 150 MW Bee Hollow Solar in Illinois
Geronimo Power has started onsite construction at its 150 MW Bee Hollow Solar project in St. Clair County, Illinois, within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) market. The project is expected to bring substantial economic benefits to the local community in the form of new tax revenue, jobs, local spending and charitable giving.
EPC firm Burns & McDonnell will construct the Bee Hollow project, which will sustain upwards of 200 construction jobs during the process. The project has a previously announced power purchase agreement with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA).
Cool factor: In total, Bee Hollow is anticipated to contribute $54 million in direct economic impact to the local area, including $17 million in new tax revenue which will be distributed to the local county, township and school districts over the first 20 years of operations. The project community will also benefit from a dedicated charitable fund, which is pledged above and beyond any tax revenue delivered by the project. These charitable funds are unique to Geronimo Power, exemplifying their commitment to being good neighbors in their projects’ host communities. The project is expected to begin operation in late 2026.
Lightsource bp secures tax equity deal for Peacock Solar
Lightsource bp and Pinnacle Financial Partners have closed on a $97.9 million tax equity deal to finance the 187 MW Peacock Solar in San Patricio County, Texas. This marks the second tax equity transaction between Lightsource bp and Pinnacle, and Pinnacle’s first production tax credit (PTC) equity deal.
“Our partnership reflects our shared commitment to develop creative, effective capital solutions that support growth and deliver value to all stakeholders,” said Emilie Wangerman, Lightsource bp chief operating officer and head of USA. “This deal is an important step forward in advancing the renewable energy infrastructure in Texas and across the USA.”
Cool factor: Peacock Solar is expected to generate more than 360,000 MWh annually to partially power Gulf Coast Growth Ventures’ manufacturing complex.
“Pinnacle Financial Partners is delighted to participate as a tax-equity investor in the Peacock Solar project developed by Lightsource bp,” said Frank Conley, head of Pinnacle’s solar capital advisory. “This investment builds upon Pinnacle’s growing relationship with Lightsource bp and reinforces our commitment to supporting clean energy initiatives that benefit local communities, create jobs, and advance a more sustainable future.”
Dimension Energy closes $412 million community solar financing package
Dimension Energy has secured its largest construction and term financing, with a $412 million package to support a new 134 MWdc portfolio of community solar projects in Illinois, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. This portfolio of community solar projects will save subscribers at least 10% on their energy bills at a time when national electricity prices are steadily increasing.
Cool factor: MUFG acted as lead debt syndicator, alongside First Citizens, ING, National Bank of Canada, Cadence, and Siemens, with Advantage Capital providing $176 million in tax equity.
“We’re thrilled to have MUFG lead their first Dimension financing, alongside our longstanding partners First Citizens Bank and Advantage Capital, as well as ING, National Bank of Canada, Cadence, and Siemens,” said Rafael Dobrzynski, cofounder and CEO of Dimension. “Investors clearly see increasing value in community solar amid the energy demand crisis.”
PowerBank secures 20 MW of solar and BESS PPAs in New York
PowerBank Corp. has executed lease and power purchase agreements with the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA). The agreement supports the development of a portfolio of ground-mount, rooftop and parking canopy solar power projects and battery energy storage systems with a cumulative total of 20 MWdc.
“The Division of Military and Naval Affairs is looking forward to partnering with PowerBank and the New York Power Authority to bring this first of its kind 20 MW renewable energy and microgrid project to our Camp Smith Training Site and facilities in Ithaca, Kingston, and Newark,” said Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York. “This project will decrease utility costs and increase energy resiliency while making significant progress towards meeting Governor Hochul’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions.”
Cool factor: PowerBank intends to develop, finance and construct the Projects, a combination of behind-the-meter systems and community solar projects on land owned by the DMNA. Once operational, the clean energy generated by the projects will be sold to the DMNA under long-term PPAs that have an initial term of 20 years or will be sold to local residents through community solar subscriptions.
The project portfolio consists of approximately 19 MW of solar PV systems and 1 MW / 2 MWh of battery energy storage. Individual systems will be located at a variety of New York Army National Guard facilities or properties across New York State administered by the DMNA. Developing the portfolio will help DMNA meet a variety of resiliency, climate, and economic savings goals. Construction is expected to start by the end of the 2025 calendar year.
