This week on Projects Weekly, Panamint Capital has closed on the first phase of a $1.8 billion loan for the construction of North America’s largest brownfield solar project, located in Texas. In Ohio, Energix US has begun operations at Border Basin Solar with help from Stem Inc. software. Slightly west in Illinois, Lightstar Renewables is partnering with the city of Paxton on a hay-based agrivoltaics installation. Also in the Prairie State, Sunraycer has purchased a two-project portfolio from Apricus Energy, stretching across both Illinois and Missouri. In Arkansas, EDP Renewables North America has begun construction on Cypress Knee Solar, adding 250 MW to the Natural State’s grid. On the west coast, SolarEdge and a duo of partners have installed a rooftop project for a senior living center in Washington. All the way up north, Alectra Energy Solutions and Convergent Energy and Power have cut the ribbon on three battery storage projects in Ontario. Finally in New York, Canada’s own PowerBank Corp. has secured permission for a ground-mounted community solar site. Keep reading for all the details!
Energix US begins operations at Border Basin Solar with Stem’s PowerTrack software
AI-enabled renewable energy software firm Stem Inc. has deployed its PowerTrack platform at Energix’s Border Basin Solar in Hancock County, Ohio.
The company announced the project’s full energization Nov. 3, and the new site will add 152 MWdc of utility-scale solar energy to the grid in northwestern Ohio. The newly-installed software platform will also allow for full power plant control and data acquisition, and will act as a monitoring backbone for the project.
“For utility-scale developers like Energix, bringing a project online is only part of the equation. Long-term success depends on reliable operations, clear visibility into asset performance, and the right technical support,” says Matt Tappin, Stem’s president of software. “We’re proud to support Energix as they continue to expand their solar portfolio and focus on maximizing the performance and long-term value of their assets.”
Tappin further adds that Stem supported the project from its conceptual design stages, through to operator handoff. The software firm combined upfront engineering, panel shop assembly and pre-configuration to help bring the project online with full data visibility.
Bright spot: The project has commenced operations within the PJM Interconnection market, according to officials. Border Basin will further make use of Stem’s PowerTrack platform for cloud-based monitoring, as well as performance analytics, alerting, reporting, and remote data backup.
“Border Basin is an important milestone for Energix as we surpass 1GW in our U.S. portfolio in the PJM market,” says Zvi Tvizer, country manager and COO of Energix Renewables. “Stem’s PowerTrack platform gives our operations team the real-time visibility and performance insight we need to maximize production and ensure reliable, long-term operation of the facility.”
SolarEdge and partners energize project at Washington senior living center
SolarEdge, South Sound Solar, and Olympia Community Solar have cut the ribbon on a new solar project at the Colonial Residence at Stillwater Estates senior living property.
Located in Centralia, Washington, the 152.6 kW project was designed by Washington State’s own South Sound Solar, according to SolarEdge. The rooftop site features 288 Silfab solar panels and two SolarEdge 50 kW three-phase inverters, and will generate about 148.4 MWh of renewable energy on an annual basis, heavily reducing the property’s electrical expenses.
“For seniors living on fixed incomes, maintaining affordable housing and access to quality services is essential,” SolarEdge representatives say. “This SolarEdge-powered installation demonstrates how renewable energy can deliver benefits beyond electricity generation, helping a nonprofit senior living community redirect operating expenses toward the people it serves.”
Bright spot: The project also funded a roof replacement, according to SolarEdge media representatives. Beyond its financial and electrical impacts, the site is projected to help Washington avoid about 237,048 pounds of carbon emissions annually. This is equivalent to the carbon sequestered by about 108 acres of U.S. forest land.
The project “offers a model for how community organizations can invest in long-term sustainability while supporting residents’ everyday needs.”
“The project is projected to save Colonial Residence approximately $11,500 in electricity costs during its first year and more than $540,000 over 25 years,” SolarEdge officials note. “These savings can help ERC preserve resources for resident programming, building upkeep and affordable rent stability, supporting its mission of providing quality housing and services for older adults.”
Lightstar Renewables partners with Paxton, Illinois on community solar site
Lightstar Renewables and the City of Paxton have teamed up for a new community solar installation in Ford County, Illinois.
The two firms announced Nov. 3 that the Paxton City Council has already approved an annexation agreement for the project. Estimated at 4.95 MWac, the new Baltimore Drive community solar farm sites on about 35 acres of privately owned land in Paxton. Lightstar chose the site in part for its strong grid interconnection capabilities, as well as its relatively remote location, away from nearby homes.
“Paxton showed what a strong partnership looks like,” says Lightstar senior development manager Kyle McAdam, who is leading the Baltimore Drive project. “This agreement keeps tax revenue in the city, delivers real savings to local subscribers, and puts the project on a site that works for the community. That is the kind of project we want to build across Illinois.”
Bright spot: The community solar project will also be an agrivoltaic installation for the Land of Lincoln, according to Lightstar officials. The city currently has that land zoned for agricultural purposes, with hay production planned to continue on the site once the project is operational.
The new facility will use single-axis trackers to capture as much sunlight as possible, with a maximum height of 12 feet. Lightstar has worked directly with local leaders to structure project agreements that deliver both tax revenue and community benefits around the area.
The Baltimore Drive project does not have plans for battery storage, so the generated power will flow directly into the local distribution grid.
PowerBank secures operating permission for New York solar site
Canadian solar giant PowerBank Corp. has announced that it has received operating permission for Camillus, a 3.26 MW ground-mount solar project in New York.
Sold to and constructed for Solar Advocate Development LLC in a transaction valued at $7.3 million, the Empire State-based solar project now adds to PowerBank’s portfolio of more than 100 MW. The company also has a pipeline approaching 1 GW as of November 2026, and it “continues to pursue opportunities” in solar and storage across North America.
Bright spot: Constructed on a closed landfill, the site is now authorized to begin operation as a community solar project. PowerBank says Camillus subscribers will see bill savings through Abundant Solar Power, one of the corporation’s subsidiaries.
“A closed landfill is land that most people would write off,” says PowerBank president and COO Andrew van Doorn. “At Camillus, our engineers and construction partners turned it into a 3.26 MW source of clean power for local households. Reaching permission to operate on a site like this reflects decades of hands-on experience, and it’s exactly the kind of project where that experience matters most.”
The new milestone with Camillus “demonstrates PowerBank’s ability to combine engineering expertise, construction execution and strategic relationships,” the firm says. As AI, electrification, and the expansion of the data center buildout continues to strain North American energy grids, residential bill savings are becoming a top priority for homeowners and renters alike.
Alectra, Convergent energize three Ontario-based battery projects
Business partners Alectra Energy Solutions and Convergent Energy and Power have completed three battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities in Vaughan and Guelph, near the Greater Toronto Area.
With all three projects now fully operational, the batteries add 320 MWh to the province’s energy grid, the companies say. The newfound flexibility gives the province’s utilities and grid management firms a way to balance supply and demand, strengthening the grid and supporting the province’s growing energy needs.
“Bringing these three battery storage facilities into operation is an important milestone for Alectra Energy Solutions and Ontario’s electricity system,” says Alectra president and CEO Brian Bentz. “These projects will strengthen reliability and support our communities’ growing energy needs for years to come.”
Bright spot: Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines, says his province is building the largest battery storage fleet in the country in the name of affordability. The Alectra and Convergent team strategically sited the battery projects to provide low-cost power for fast-growing communities across Ontario, he says.
“Ontario is a leader when it comes to carbon-free electricity generation, and we are pleased to be a reliable partner to the province’s residents and utilities,” says Frank Genova, co-CEO of Convergent Energy and Power.
Sunraycer acquires 325 MWac portfolio from Apricus Energy
Independent power producer Sunraycer Renewables has finalized its acquisition of two projects across Illinois and Missouri from Apricus Energy, officials announced Nov. 3.
Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
The two projects, Gem City and Mighty Mississippi, total 325 MWac and extend Sunraycer’s solar presence in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) market. The purchase also brings the company into Illinois and Missouri, marking its first foray into the lower Midwestern market.
“Gem City and Mighty Mississippi are compelling additions to our growing portfolio of advanced, well-sited solar projects,” says Sunraycer CEO David Lillefloren. “Both projects expand our geographic reach and position us to help meet growing electricity demand across the Midwest. We’re grateful to the Apricus team for their work advancing these projects and look forward to carrying them through construction and into operation.”
Bright spot: Construction on the two projects is expected to begin in early 2028, according to Sunraycer representatives. The company is targeting 2029 for a commercial operation date, and plans to use safe-harbored equipment for both development processes.
Both projects will connect to Ameren’s electricity transmission system, officials say, and will provide enough renewable energy to power about 78,500 homes in the area. Additionally, the projects will support an estimated 560 construction jobs, and contribute about $92 million in local tax revenue over their lifetimes.
“Gem City and Mighty Mississippi reflect Apricus Energy’s commitment to developing high-quality renewable energy projects that create lasting value for communities, customers, and stakeholders,” says Anand Gangadharan, manager of Apricus Energy.
Panamint secures $1.8 billion green loan North America’s largest brownfield project
Energy infrastructure investor Panamint Capital has closed on the first phase of a $1.8 billion Green Loan for Big Rooter Power, a 1.2 GWdc solar project to be located in Robertson County, Texas.
Procees from the $769 million first phase will go toward ongoing construction of Big Rooter West, a 491 MWdc portion of the project. The second phase, coming in at just over $1 billion, will finance construction of the 658 MWdc second stage, Big Rooter East. Together, the two projects make up North America’s largest brownfield renewable energy project.
“The completion of this financing with Lloyds, MUFG and SMBC is a strong vote of confidence in our Big Rooter Power project and in Panamint’s innovative approach to optimizing America’s energy infrastructure” said Apolka Totth, CEO of Panamint Capital. “We’re grateful to our lending partners for their commitment to this historic project.”
Financing for Big Rooter East is expected to close in Q1 2027, and includes a $336 million construction to term loan, among other funds.
Bright spot: Big Rooter Power makes use of reclaimed coal mine land about halfway between Dallas and Houston, the company says. The firm adds that the project will be located inside Panamint’s 10,000-acre Twin Oaks Complex, which provides power generation, surface mining, energy storage, data center capacity, and high-voltage electricity transmission.
Big Rooter Power is expected to see full commercial operation by August 2029, officials say.
“Closing a transaction of this scale and complexity is a direct reflection of Panamint’s deep execution capabilities and strong capital markets relationships. The competitive terms and robust demand we secured demonstrate the market’s confidence in the quality of this solar facility and in Panamint’s ability to structure complex energy deals,” said Tony Shi, Director at Panamint Capital, who led the deal for the firm.
EDP Renewables begins construction on Cypress Knee Solar in Arkansas
EDP Renewables North America has broken ground on Cypress Knee Solar, a new 250 MW solar installation in southeastern Arkansas.
Supported by a long-term power purchase agreement with tech titan Meta, the project “represents a significant investment in Arkansas’ energy future, local economy, and energy infrastructure,” EDP Renewables officials say. The company adds that once operational, Cypress Knee will generate about $25 million in new revenue for Chicot County over its lifetime.
“Breaking ground at Cypress Knee Solar marks an important milestone for the project and for Arkansas’ growing role in America’s energy future,” says EDP Renewables North America CEO Sandhya Ganapathy. “As energy demand continues to rise, projects like Cypress Knee Solar help strengthen grid reliability while creating jobs, generating meaningful local revenue, and delivering long-term benefits to the communities that host them.”
Bright spot: The project will further support Meta’s commitment to matching 100% of its annual electricity usage with renewable generation, the company says. At peak construction, the project will create “several hundred” jobs for the Natural State, as well as substantial tax revenue for schools and local infrastructure.
As part of its commitment to the project and its surrounding area, EDP Renewables has also contributed more than $77,000 to organizations and programs across the county. The energy development firm is working to support the restoration of the Lakeside High School greenhouse, as well as funding the Lakeside Village food pantry and providing resources for the Lakeside Robotics team.
— Solar Builder magazine
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