This edition of Projects Weekly highlights Avangrid’s newest project in Kern County, California. Plus, we look at Geronimo Power’s expanding solar portfolio in Ohio, Greenskies newly completed project for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU), and DESRI is beginning construction on a solar + storage project in Arizona. We spill the tea in the paragraphs below!
Avangrid Inc. has achieved commercial operations at its Camino Solar project in Kern County, California. The 57 MWdc (44 MWac) project, Avangrid’s seventh energy facility in California, is currently providing power to approximately 14,000 homes.
Camino represents new domestic energy capacity and is helping to meeting surging electricity demand. According to a recent U.S. National Power Demand Study by S&P Global, energy demand in the United States could rise by as much as 50% by 2040, driven largely by new data centers.
Cool factor: The construction of the project, which consists of 105,000 solar panels, supported approximately 100 construction jobs, nearly all filled with local union workers.
Camino is expected to generate about $15 million in state and local tax revenue during its lifetime, helping to fund a variety of public services, especially education. It will also pay about $150,000 in annual lease payments to project landowners. Camino was built partially on public lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Avangrid now has seven energy projects in California ranging from San Diego County to the Bay Area and a combined capacity of about 600 MW.
Geronimo Power expands Ohio solar portfolio
Geronimo Power has started operations at its Ross County and Fayette Solar projects in Ross, Fayette and Highland counties in Ohio. Combined, the projects are anticipated to contribute $73 million in direct economic impact over the first 20 years of operations.
“The addition of Ross and Fayette to our Ohio operating portfolio brings our collective projected economic impact to more than $160 million across the Buckeye state,” said Blake Nixon, president and CEO of Geronimo Power (formerly National Grid Renewables).
Cool factor: Joining the previously announced Yellowbud Solar project, the 120 MW Ross and 47.5 MW Fayette will contribute $29.5 million in new tax revenue, which will be distributed to local counties, emergency services, school districts and additional funding for the Ohio PILOT Program. Additionally, the company recently announced the start of construction at its Dodson Creek and Sycamore Creek Solar projects. Combined, all five projects will culminate in more than 675 MW of clean energy produced in the state once all five projects are operational.
“I have lived in the area for more than 45 years and have found the nearby solar facilities to provide a welcome change to my community,” said Duane Ross, a Fayette project landowner. “The Ross and Fayette solar projects will provide essential revenue streams for residents in this area, and I hope to see more solar projects producing clean energy in the future.”
Greenskies completes 2.32 MW solar project for Connecticut colleges
Greenskies Clean Focus has finished construction of a 2.32 MW ground-mount project in Orange, Connecticut. The energy produced will benefit the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU).
This distributed energy resource (DER) solar facility will help CSCU realize an estimated six million dollars in energy savings over 20 years of operation. In addition to the financial benefits, this system will generate over 3 million kWh of renewable energy per year.
Cool factor: The Orange solar array leverages Connecticut’s Virtual Net Metering (VNM) program, which allows the energy generated at a remote site to offset its energy consumption at other locations. In conjunction with Greenskies, the CSCU VNM contract enables this solar array in Orange to serve as a DER facility for two CSCU campuses in New Haven. The campuses benefiting from this system are the nearby Gateway Community College and Southern Connecticut State University, which helps both institutions reduce their reliance on grid-supplied electricity and lower their energy costs.
“By leveraging solutions like Virtual Net Metering, we are helping institutions like CSCU reduce energy costs and carbon emissions while supporting the state’s renewable energy objectives,” said Ryan Linares, VP real estate of Greenskies Clean Focus, adding that the company’s partnership with CSCU has resulted in more than 14.5 MW in distributed solar projects.
DESRI begins construction of Catclaw solar + storage facility in Arizona
DESRI has received its financial notice to proceed (FNTP) and commenced construction on the Catclaw Solar and Storage project in Buckeye, Arizona. The project includes a 205 MW solar facility with a 1,000 MWh storage system. DESRI purchased the project from Avantus in 2024. The project is expected to begin operations in 2026.
“DESRI currently owns 131 MWac of operating renewable energy assets and 160 MWac of solar assets under construction in Arizona,” said Bob Schoenherr, chief strategy officer of the company. “Catclaw is our first project with Arizona Public Service (APS). Given skyrocketing demand for new energy and capacity resources across the state, our team is happy to pair reliable and cost-effective resources with this need.”
Cool factor: Catclaw has a 20-year power purchase agreement with APS. The facility is expected to generate enough clean energy to power approximately 40,000 Arizona homes each year.
“Catclaw will help power Arizona’s growing energy needs with clean, reliable electricity, especially during times of peak demand,” said Cliff Graham, CEO of Avantus.
RES will serve as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor, with EPC Services Company as the high-voltage EPC. Tesla will provide battery storage equipment for the Project. Invenergy Services will provide ongoing operations and maintenance services once the facility is operational.
Tags: commercial and industrial, Community Solar, solar + storage, utility-scale