Enel North America and Mars sign a deal for 851 MW from three Texas solar farms to fully power Mars operations in Enel’s largest PPA.

Solar power is still alive and kicking in Texas, where a new billion-dollar, 408-megawatt solar project has just begun commercial operation.

Panhandle Solar Group (PSG) is moving forward with a large-scale solar project in Hutchinson County, Texas, following approval from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). This announcement comes just months after another solar farm began operations near Tulia, highlighting the growing renewable energy landscape in the Panhandle region. Established in 2021, PSG has secured leases on 14,500 acres in Hutchinson County, with significant additional acreage available from local landowners near Borger. The company’s initial project will utilize 4,900 acres to generate 1,000 megawatts of solar photovoltaic power, complemented by a 350 MW/1,400 MWh Battery Energy Storage System. This system is projected to produce approximately 2.6 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power between 500,000 and 1 million homes. The project's connection to ERCOT's West Hub is scheduled to begin service in late 2029. Windham Loopesko, founder of PSG, emphasized the significance of the ERCOT approval, stating it's a key step toward delivering clean, dependable, and affordable energy. Hutchinson County Commissioner Gary Alexander echoed this sentiment, anticipating the project will create jobs, bolster the local tax base, and establish the county as a leader in energy innovation. Alexander also highlighted the long-term partnerships with landowners that will provide stable income and community benefits. The project holds particular significance for Loopesko, a fourth-generation Hutchinson County landowner, who has leased approximately 2,500 acres of his own family’s land for the initiative. Amy Fesser, executive director of the Borger Economic Development Corporation, believes the project will enhance energy diversity and meet increasing national electricity demand. PSG envisions the Texas Panhandle becoming a national hub for renewable energy, with potential for further expansion in the region.

GOP States Reap Solar Boom From Law Their Party Opposed.

Texas has become a hotspot for solar factories, even though Republicans in the statehouse are pushing for new anti-solar legislation.

Tariffs or not, Texas is rapidly becoming an epicenter of domestic solar manufacturing in the US, with an assist from overseas investors.

El Paso Electric opens Community Solar plant in San Elizario, exands number of customers who can subscribe to 7-year-old program.

Solar manufacturing is growing in the US, regardless of the anti-renewable hot air blown by conservative policy makers.

Solar manufacturing is growing in the US, regardless of the anti-renewable hot air blown by conservative policy makers.

Recurrent Energy Secures $183 Million in Project Financing and Tax Equity for Texas Storage Project Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc., has secured $183 million in project financing and tax equity for its 200 MWh Fort Duncan Storage project in Maverick County, Texas. The storage facility is currently under construction and is expected to be commercially operational by summer 2025. The Fort Duncan Storage project will support ERCOT's peak power demand, contributing to the reliability and resilience of the grid in Texas. With the addition of this infrastructure, Recurrent Energy is helping to facilitate the growth of the state's economy while leveraging low-cost renewable energy sources. Nord/LB led the project financing, which includes a construction and term loan, a tax equity bridge loan, and a letter of credit facility totaling $112 million. Additionally, Recurrent Energy has executed a $71 million tax equity partnership with Greenprint Capital. "We are pleased to support the growing Texas economy with infrastructure that improves reliability and supports the use of low-cost renewable energy," said Ismael Guerrero, CEO of Recurrent Energy. "Thank you to our partners at Nord/LB and Greenprint for their innovative partnership on these transactions."

The solar energy is still alive and kicking in Texas, but two anti-renewables bills coul pass into law this year.

Texas Solar Power Drives Economic Growth, Calls for Nuclear Renaissance A recent statement by the Governor of Texas highlighted the state's shift towards renewable energy, citing an increase in power generation that is "almost all solar and storage." This trend has been bolstered by the growth of distributed generation companies and investments in transmission infrastructure.

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