Maryland’s largest solar facility now online | Projects Weekly
This edition of Projects Weekly highlights the CPV Backbone Solar project, a 160 MW facility developed by an affiliate of Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) that has begun operations in Maryland. Plus, BorderPlex Digital Assets is planning to build one of New Mexico’s largest renewable energy facilities with the development of the 1 GW Project Green. And in merger and acquisition news, Altus Power has purchased a 234 MW portfolio of solar generation and storage assets across 18 states from investment firm Greenbacker, while Solar EPC Moss has acquired Ellison Construction to strengthen its presence in Central Florida. Keep reading for all the details.
CPV begins operations at Backbone Solar in Maryland
Competitive Power Ventures’ (CPV) affiliate CPV Renewable Power and its strategic investment partner Harrison Street Asset Management (HSAM) launched commercial operations at CPV Backbone Solar, a 160 MW solar project in Garrett County, Maryland. In parallel, CPV secured its third solar tax equity financing with U.S. Bank. Marathon Capital served as advisor, emphasizing the project’s quality and CPV’s leading role in developing utility-scale renewable projects.
“CPV Backbone Solar exemplifies our mission to support a responsible energy transition,” said Sherman Knight, CEO of CPV. “By transforming exhausted coal mine land into a productive solar facility, we’re demonstrating how brownfield redevelopment, innovative engineering, and strategic partnerships can meet complex project challenges and deliver new power generation in Maryland.”
CPV Backbone Solar was constructed by Vanguard Energy Partners, a leading solar engineering, procurement, construction firm.
Cool factor: CPV Backbone Solar is situated on a reclaimed, decommissioned coal mine. The 324,000 panels at the project site are designed to produce enough energy to power 30,000 households, repurposing the land and providing needed generation to the state.
The project began development in 2020. The project also includes investments to enhance community and environmental stewardship, including a $100,000 contribution over a four-year period to the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation to help strengthen long-term vitality of the region’s natural resource.
“At CPV, we look for ways to invest in energy communities where our projects can have the greatest impact. Garrett County provided the necessary criteria for us to bring CPV Backbone Solar to Western Maryland,” said Mike Resca, EVP of CPV Renewable Power. “This project adds significant tax revenue to Garrett County, and we look forward to being partners for years to come.”
CPV Backbone Solar joins four operating wind and solar projects in the company’s renewable portfolio alongside a development pipeline of 4.8 GW. A planned second phase has started construction and is projected to expand the facility’s total installed capacity to 175 MW.
BorderPlex to issue RFP for up to 1 GW of renewable energy in New Mexico
BorderPlex Digital Assets has unveiled Project Green, a market process to source up to 500 MW of renewable energy generation capacity in southern New Mexico by 2028. In addition, the company plans to scale up to a total of 1 GW of renewable energy generation capacity by 2032 to support economic growth and development in the region.
BorderPlex expects to issue a request for information (RFI) by Jan. 16, 2026, to gather market input from qualified developers and partners, followed by a request for proposal (RFP) for select solutions.
The RFI will be used to assess technical feasibility, development timelines, delivery profiles, and commercial structures. RFI feedback will inform the final structure and scope of the subsequent RFP and ultimate solution selection. Interested parties can register at ProjectGreenNM.com to receive updates and access RFI materials when released.
Cool factor: Project Green would create one of the largest arrays of renewable energy generation infrastructure in New Mexico. Project Green will evaluate solar and other renewable energy resources, including wind, geothermal and hybrid configurations that can support long-term reliability and performance. The project is evaluating off-site solutions across solar, wind, geothermal and hybrid technologies capable of delivering large-scale power to the project’s defined point of delivery, subject to required permits and approvals. Project Green’s objective is to deliver affordable, renewable energy that supports the citizens of the State of New Mexico’s environmental and economic goals.
Project Green is aligned with BorderPlex’s commitments under its memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the state of New Mexico, dated Feb. 25, 2025, which contemplates the development of reliable, low-carbon electricity generation as part of a broader portfolio of power resources supporting critical infrastructure and long-term economic growth. The renewable generation capacity evaluated through Project Green may support a range of potential offtake solutions, including new on-campus demand, microgrid configurations, and delivery to broader market or utility partners.
Altus Power acquires 234 MW solar + storage portfolio from Greenbacker
Commercial-scale solar owner and operator Altus Power has acquired a 234 MW portfolio of solar generation and storage assets from Greenbacker, an energy-transition focused investment manager and independent power producer. The deal comprises more than 100 sites across 18 states. The portfolio features long-term contracts with a diverse mix of high-quality, investment-grade customers including a global e-commerce and logistics company, a regional university and major utilities.
“This acquisition demonstrates Altus Power’s ability to transact at scale and deliver reliable, cost-effective power solutions nationwide,” said Abhi Parmar, chief investment officer at Altus Power. “Our disciplined approach and deep operational expertise enable us to serve as a long-term steward for these assets, creating enduring value for our customers, investors, and all stakeholders involved.”
Cool factor: With this acquisition, Altus Power now owns and operates more than 1.3 GW of commercial and community solar assets across 30 states and Washington, D.C.
“We’re proud of the portfolio we built and the role these projects play in expanding access to renewable energy,” said Dan de Boer, CEO of Greenbacker. “Partnering with Altus Power was a natural next step. Their scale, experience and commitment to long-term asset management and customer service align well with Greenbacker’s broader strategy to optimize our project fleet via selective sales of non-core assets, as we sharpen our focus on high-impact, larger-scale clean energy projects.”
Moss acquisition builds up Central Florida presence
National solar EPC Moss has acquired Tampa-based Ellison Construction. The acquisition brings together two builders with deep roots in Florida.
Known for their craftsmanship, client trust and impact across Tampa Bay, Moss and Ellison share a strong cultural alignment. The acquisition deepens Moss’ already strong presence in one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions. Moss focuses on construction management, solar EPC, and design-build. In addition to solar energy and battery storage, the company’s diverse portfolio encompasses a wide range of sectors, including luxury high-rise residential, wood-frame multi-family, landmark mixed-use developments, hospitality, K-12 and higher education, and sports.
“We’re excited to welcome Ellison Construction’s talented team into Moss. Their values and commitment to quality make them a natural fit with the culture and long-term vision that guide our work,” said Scott Moss, CEO of Moss. “This acquisition is about building a stronger, more resilient business, one that can better serve our clients, invest in our people, and help shape the future of the Tampa Bay communities where we live and build.”
Cool factor: Ellison Development will continue operating as a separate entity, with Casey Ellison remaining as CEO.
“This was a thoughtful decision about future growth and what best serves our people and clients,” said Cory Ellison, president of Ellison Construction, who will join Moss alongside the broader Ellison Construction team. “We found a partner that values culture, collaboration and the community as much as we do. Moss is a respected builder and industry leader, and the alignment between our teams and their long-term vision made this the right path forward.”
