Solar installations surge post-Earth Day | Projects Weekly
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This week on Projects Weekly, the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida is celebrating a rooftop solar facelift, thanks to SolarEdge and Advanced Green Technologies. Minnesotan energy supplier Geronimo Power is doing the work in Texas, energizing its Blevins Solar Project site in Falls County. In the mergers and acquisitions market, BrightNight has purchased full control of 6 GW of projects from its joint venture with Cordelio Power. Additionally, CleanCapital has sold a 120 MW project in Ohio to Energix Renewables. In Alabama, the Tennessee Valley Authority has signed on for a 200 MW BESS project through a 20-year contract. Chaberton Energy is also looking for farmers in Maryland to participate in two agrivoltaics projects in Montgomery County, and the city of Vacaville, California celebrated their new solar endeavor with OPTERRA Energy Services. North of the border, PowerBank is working on a community solar project in Nova Scotia. All that and more inside this week’s edition of Projects Weekly!
Geronimo Power energizes Blevins Solar Project
Bloomington, Minnesota-based energy supplier Geronimo Power has begun commercial operations at its Blevins Solar Project site in Falls County, Texas.
Supporting the ERCOT grid with 270 MW of new renewable power, the project will service two previously announced power purchase agreements with Fujifilm and Bristol Myers Squibb. The facility also aims to drive long-term economic benefits for the area, the company says.
“The Blevins project reflects Geronimo’s commitment to building energy infrastructure that delivers real value to communities,” says Gemma Smith, VP of operations at Geronimo. “Working alongside partners such as Fujifilm and Bristol Myers Squibb, we’re delivering dependable power and meaningful economic investment while advancing our shared commitment to community-focused, responsibly built clean energy.”
Bright spot: Over the first 20 years of its lifetime, the Blevins site is expected to generate about $33.8 million in “direct economic impact,” including $32.5 million in new tax revenue. Additionally, the project created 400 jobs during its construction period, and will sustain “three to four” full-time operations positions over the course of its lifespan.
“At Fujifilm, we have a proud history that spans nearly a century — leveraging our excellence in imaging to become a global leader across healthcare, life sciences, and advanced materials. Yet our purpose has always remained the same — to create and support technologies that improve lives and bring the world more smiles,” says Girish Menon, senior director of environmental health and safety at Fujifilm Holdings America Corporation.
“This power purchase agreement turns our purpose into action by supporting new, renewable electricity that advances our energy strategy and helps sustain Fujifilm’s broader decarbonization efforts across North America.”
BrightNight acquires Cordelio Power’s joint venture interest
Floridian renewable energy producer BrightNight has acquired Cordelio Power’s ownership interest in their joint venture, assuming full control of 6 GW of projects from Cordelio’s development portfolio.
Established in 2020, the joint venture between BrightNight and Cordelio had originally partnered to develop and commercialize large-scale projects totaling 15 GW of resources. To date, the venture has already brought 1.1 GW of that into operation or construction.
“We are excited to leverage the success of this partnership across the West,” says BrightNight CEO Martin Hermann. “We are now positioned to continue as a leader in the dispatchable clean energy space, both with our integrated solar and storage projects and our Energeist™ hybrid power systems to reliably connect large loads to the grid.”
Bright spot: The joint venture will still retain four project-level assets including projects in Arizona and Washington. In total, those assets will provide nearly 1 GW of solar power and 2.6 GW of battery power to their respective areas.
“This 6 GW transaction is one of the largest in the last 12 months and enhances BrightNight’s Western Interconnection presence, which includes active projects in Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Utah, California, Colorado and Wyoming”, says Patrick Smith, the firm’s VP of business development and M&A.
“It also reinforces the company’s strategy of developing and operating large-scale energy infrastructure sites that serve utilities, commercial and industrial customers in the fastest-growing energy markets in the United States.”
TVA, Crawfish Creek Energy Storage sign on 200 MW BESS project
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the largest public utility in the U.S., has entered a 20-year contract to add a 200 MW / 800 MWh of battery power to the Tennessee Valley area.
The standalone battery system will be developed by Plus Power’s Crawfish Creek Energy Storage project in Jackson County, Alabama, the company says. As part of the agreement, TVA will charge and dispatch energy from the battery system “based on system needs,” while Crawfish Creek will retain ownership of the facility itself.
“Battery storage is essential to protecting the reliable, affordable electricity our region depends on to power next generation technologies,” says Monika Beckner, TVA’s VP of power supply and fuels. “Projects like Crawfish Creek strengthen the Valley’s energy security, improve our ability to manage extreme conditions, and help unleash American energy, reinforcing reliability, affordability, and America’s energy dominance.”
Bright spot: Construction is expected to begin on the BESS project in 2028, and the project will reach commercial operation in summer 2029. The facility is also expected to create 50 to 100 construction jobs for the Jackson County area, as well as four full-time operational positions once completed.
“Plus Power is proud to support energy resilience in Jackson County and the Tennessee Valley, a key region for America’s military, aerospace, and nuclear innovation,” says Plus Power CCO Brian Duncan. “Battery energy storage systems are flexible and millisecond-fast, making Crawfish Creek uniquely suited to meet the region’s evolving needs.”
CleanCapital sells 120 MW project to Energix Renewables
Energy investment firm CleanCapital has announced its sale of a 120 MW brownfield solar project in eastern Ohio’s Harrison County.
Known as “Nottingham,” the project will enter the ownership fold of renewable energy developer Energix, the company says. The project was originally developed by BQ Energy and acquired by CleanCapital in 2022, and sits on a reclaimed coal strip mine. The site “epitomizes how environmentally compromised land can be revitalized into clean energy generation sites,” and will continue to deliver long-term energy benefits under Energix.
“This transaction advances CleanCapital’s strategic focus on DG-scale solar and energy storage projects in growing markets,” says CleanCapital CEO Thomas Byrne. “The sale of this development project will allow us to focus our in-house development resources on maximizing efforts to scale our DG portfolio across the U.S.”
Bright spot: The deal follows CleanCapital’s January acquisition of a battery storage portfolio from Osaka Gas USA, and closing of nearly $500 million across two different facilities. The company says its most recent flurry of moves reinforce its wider mission to deliver megawatts of renewable energy to the grid through distributed energy resources.
“This transaction aligns with Energix’s strategy to expand our utility‑scale solar platform in the United States, using U.S.-made equipment and delivering lasting value to local communities,” says Oren Hazan, chief business development officer at Energix Renewables. “The Nottingham project reflects our focus on responsible development, strong environmental attributes, and positive community impact.”
Orlando convention center rooftop gets 2.2 MWdc solar facelift
SolarEdge Technologies and Advanced Green Technologies have announced the completion of a 2.2 MWdc rooftop solar system at Orlando, Florida’s Orange County Convention Center (OCCC).
Powered by SolarEdge’s proprietary solar inverters, the project “more than doubles” the convention center’s solar energy production, while maintaining the same footprint on its rooftop. The OCCC brings in about 2.4 million attendees every year, generating nearly $5 billion for the region, the company says.
“When we started in the solar business nearly 20 years ago, the original installation was something of a holy grail at that time — a project we all looked up to. To come in all these years later, tear it out, and reinstall something over double its original capacity was a full-circle moment for us,” says Clinton Sockman, EVP at Advanced Green Technologies. “To now deliver one of the largest rooftop solar projects in Florida, while working around a packed event calendar, is a true milestone for commercial solar in our state.”
Bright spot: The project is also integrated with LEED’s Gold-certified renovation of the center’s southern building. The installation is also part of a wider upgrade, where the convention center replaced its aging original rooftop and solar panels with higher efficiency modules from SolarEdge and Advanced Green Technologies.
“This project exemplifies how smart solar technology can help large facilities operate more efficiently while advancing meaningful sustainability goals,” says Charles Ellis, VP of sales for CC&I at SolarEdge. “We’re proud to support the Orange County Convention Center in demonstrating how large-scale venues can integrate innovative clean energy solutions without disrupting operations.”
The convention center is now preparing for future expansion, officials say.
Vacaville celebrates completion of sustainable energy project with OPTERRA
The city of Vacaville, California has announced the completion of its Sustainable Energy Project, implemented through a partnership with OPTERRA Energy Services.
Vacaville Mayor John Carli says the project “represents a major milestone” for the city, as it moves toward a completely renewable future.
“While helping to address our General Plan goals, the long-term impact of the work with OPTERRA enables our City departments to directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with state requirements, contributing to a greener, more resilient community,” he says. “Through enriching internships for local students tied to the project work itself, directly involved in both tree planting and ongoing beautification efforts, I’m proud to see the positive ripple effects of this project ensure that all parts of downtown, historically underserved areas, and widespread community spaces across Vacaville benefit.”
Bright spot: Funded through a tax-exempt lease purchase agreement, the “comprehensive” project includes solar energy projects at eight city facilities. The projects will work to serve the city’s population of about 103,000, and will account for the offsetting of about 2,118 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.
In addition to its environmental benefits, the citywide project is expected to deliver “substantial savings” over the course of the next 25 years. The project will also include a strong focus on community benefits like the city’s Tree Infusion Program and a downtown mural program.
“Vacaville’s Sustainable Energy Project is a living case study for how growing cities faced with funding constraints can modernize infrastructure, improve resilience, and invest in their communities without increasing financial burden,” says Courtney Jenkins, CEO of OPTERRA Energy Services.
Chaberton seeking farming partners for two Maryland agrivoltaics projects
Chaberton Energy is inviting Maryland farmers to respond to two requests for proposal on two agrivoltaics solar projects.
Located on 27 acres just northwest of Washington, D.C., in the state’s Montgomery County, the projects are part of a partnership with Okovate Sustainable Energy. The co-located farming and solar sites will generate a total of about 9.1 MW for the state at a time when it currently imports about 40% of its total electricity.
“These projects are among Montgomery County’s first agrivoltaics projects,” says Ryan Boswell, VP of development for Chaberton Energy. “Everybody benefits when farmers, communities, local governments and energy developers work together toward a shared set of goals.”
Bright spot: The projects bring distributed energy resources closer to residences in the Old Line State, and will provide lower energy costs to nearly 1,000 households, the company says. Additionally, of course, the projects will also support agricultural businesses in Maryland.
“Together we’re building out the energy network we need while keeping agricultural land productive,” said Miles Braxton, CEO and co-founder of Okovate. “This is an opportunity to provide land access to local farmers looking to expand or start their operations, while also leasing land for solar that helps meet the growing energy demand.”
PowerBank announces grid interconnection on Nova Scotia community solar project
Energy infrastructure developer PowerBank has announced the completion of the the Standard Small Generator Interconnection and Operating Agreement (SSGIA) for its Brooklyn Project in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.
About 6.86 MW in size, the project is expected to begin construction activities in the fall of 2026. The project is a community solar system, which PowerBank says will allow for subscription-based power without any new equipment needed for residents of the area.
Bright spot: The Brooklyn project, one of many community solar sites in PowerBank’s portfolio, is a “cornerstone” of the province’s renewable energy commitments, the company says. Nova Scotia currently has a plan to achieve 80% renewable energy by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2035.
PowerBank officials claim this project will leverage their executional capabilities through strategic area partnerships.
With more than 100 MW of projects built and a development pipeline exceeding 1 GW, PowerBank brings institutional-grade development expertise to Atlantic Canada. The project’s timeline ensures near-term EPC revenue generation, and positions PowerBank to obtain additional development contracts in the high-growth community solar market.
