The latest edition of Projects Weekly highlights several commercial and community solar projects, battery energy storage … and what’s this about solar benches? Read on, solar builders!
Commercial and community solar developer UGE has reached commercial operation on six new solar projects totaling 16 MW. The projects include the company’s first two community solar projects in Maryland, its first community solar project in Oregon, a second municipal PPA project in Texas, and two community solar projects in Maine.
With the completion of these six projects, UGE’s operating portfolio now stands at 24 MW, with projects operating across six states. The Maryland, Oregon, and Maine projects will all join their respective states’ community solar programs, bringing cheaper, cleaner electricity to households and businesses that aren’t able to install solar on their own rooftops. The Texas project will bring affordable renewable energy to the rural municipality where it’s sited.
Among the projects are UGE’s first project to qualify for the Energy Community Tax Credit put into place via the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The credit incentivizes renewable energy developers like UGE to site projects on contaminated land or in communities historically dependent on the nonrenewable energy economy. UGE’s two Maryland projects qualify for the Energy Community Credit under the coal facility closure category, which was designed to promote economic revitalization in regions affected by the closure of coal mines and coal-fired power plants.
The Oregon project is UGE’s largest to reach commercial operation since transitioning to an independent power purchaser model. The Texas project is the company’s second in the town of Smithville, and UGE’s first to receive a grant from the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The two new Maine projects, both located in the Bangor area, bring UGE’s total operating portfolio in the state to 7.5 MW across four projects. One of the two Maine projects is built atop a former concrete fabrication and storage site.
“Successfully achieving commercial operation for six projects in one month is a massive achievement, and I’m deeply proud of our team for the weeks, months, and years of work that went into getting here,” said Nick Blitterswyk, CEO of UGE. “Our operating portfolio grew roughly five-fold in 2024, showing what our team is capable of now that we’ve transitioned to a model whereby we develop, own, and operate our projects.”
EDP Renewables unveils Sandrini I & II Solar Energy Park in Southern California
EDP Renewables North America LLC (EDPR NA) unveiled Sandrini I & II Solar Energy Park in Kern County, California.
The two-phase solar energy park includes the 200 MW Sandrini I, which has a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Shell Energy North America (SENA), and 100 MW Sandrini II, which has a 15-year PPA with Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA). Both phases of the project were commissioned in Q4 2024.
Sandrini I has already disbursed more than $510,000 in tax payments to local governments since 2023. This has strengthened the local community by enhancing schools, roads, and other essential services. Additionally, approximately $15 million will be paid to local landowners, who lease a portion of their land to house the solar energy park’s infrastructure. Sandrini I & II employed more than 200 workers during construction and will create several permanent operations positions.
Power from Sandrini II will provide over a thirdof the total annual electric need for customers of RCEA’s community choice energy program. RCEA supplies more than 90% of the electricity for Humboldt County on California’s rural north coast. Completion of Sandrini II marks a large step toward RCEA meeting its goal of supplying 100% renewable energy to its customers by 2030.
RCEA is one of 25 community choice aggregators (CCAs) now serving communities in California. Sandrini II adds to 8,000 MW of new clean energy resources brought online to date by California’s CCAs. An additional 10,000 MW of new clean resources are in contract with these CCAs and are currently under development or construction. The CCAs’ clean energy projects collectively support over 36,000 construction jobs across California and the West.
“RCEA is committed to achieving our goal of supplying Humboldt County with 100% renewable energy. Sandrini II is a welcomed addition to our energy portfolio,” said RCEA board chair Sarah Schaefer.
The construction and ongoing operations of Sandrini I & II will continue to aid in local spending and support of small businesses — namely restaurants, hotels, and retailers – located near the project. Both phases of the solar energy park also yield environmental benefits, including saving more than 381 million gallons of water each year compared to the amount of water that conventional generation sources would need to produce the same amount of capacity. These water savings, in turn, will help aid Kern County’s water conservation goals.
“Sandrini I & II represent EDP Renewables’ continued commitment to investing in California and are a direct contribution to California’s admirable target of achieving 100% clean electricity by 2045,” said Sandhya Ganapathy, CEO of EDP Renewables North America. “The Golden State is known for its leadership in solar energy, and EDP Renewables is elated to meet the growing demand for reliable, clean energy sources.”
Key Capture Energy completes 200 MW of battery energy storage in Texas
Battery energy storage system provider Key Capture Energy LLC (KCE) has begun commercial operations at two 100 MW projects in Texas and the transfer of the investment tax credits (ITCs) for both projects to a third party. This marks KCE’s second ITC transfer transaction under the Inflation Reduction Act and brings its battery energy storage operating fleet to over 620 MW across the United States.
“Key Capture Energy continues to lead the industry, and this second ITC transfer is an important milestone for the company,” said Brian Hayes, Key Capture Energy CEO. “By collaborating with our utility partners and leveraging financial tools like the ITC, we’re looking forward to bringing more battery energy storage online to support a reliable and resilient electric grid in markets nationwide.”
The two new standalone projects operate within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) market, helping to balance high levels of intermittent energy in Texas and mitigate grid fluctuations, particularly during peak demand periods. Located in Denton and Grimes counties, both projects qualified for the 10% Energy Community Tax Credit bonus available under the Inflation Reduction Act.
The ITC transfers will enable KCE to invest in its development portfolio across the country. KCE is one of the most experienced battery energy storage operators in the ITC transfer market, having completed its first transaction in December 2023.
CRC-IB served as the financial advisor to KCE and KCE was represented by Clifford Chance US LLP. TReK served as the financial advisor to the buyer and the buyer was represented by Akin LLP.
ECA Solar, Luminace expand community solar footprint in Maryland and Delaware
ECA Solar has expanded its partnership with Luminace to increase community solar development across Maryland and Delaware. This expansion adds eleven new clean energy assets to their collective portfolio, comprising a total capacity of 37 MW, further expanding their total transactional history to more than 60 MW.
The Maryland portfolio includes seven projects, strategically sited to maximize environmental and community benefits. These projects are estimated to provide up to 2,500 households of Maryland residents with access to clean, affordable energy while supporting the state’s ambitious renewable energy goals.
In Delaware, four new projects will similarly bring renewable energy access to underserved communities, offering economic savings and environmental benefits to local residents.
ECA Solar and Luminace remain committed to driving impactful renewable energy initiatives. These eleven projects mark another significant milestone in their shared mission to promote a cleaner, greener future for communities across the Mid-Atlantic region.
Bluebolt installs solar powered charging benches at colleges
Bluebolt Outdoor LLC, a division of Blue Outdoor, continuing its partnership with California State University System, has recently installed solar-powered benches at California State University — Channel Islands.
Feedback from students and staff has been positive. A few weeks after installation, the sustainability and energy director at CSU Channel Islands kindly shared this: “The Bluebolt Outdoor Solar Benches have proven to be an incredible asset for CSU Channel Islands. These off-grid benches not only provide much-needed outdoor seating, but they also offer a convenient and sustainable way to charge devices while enjoying the fresh air. They’re a hit with everyone — students love the extra places to socialize, and employees appreciate the comfortable spots to relax between meetings. The benches have become a focal point of campus life, adding both functionality and a modern, eco-friendly touch to our outdoor spaces.”
Additional first quarter 2025 installations are scheduled at CSU-San Marcos, Antelope Community College, Solano Community College, Lassen College, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, and many others. Bluebolt will be continuing their roll out this spring and summer with locations in California, Colorado, Illinois, Texas, Louisiana, New York, and Arizona.
The solar benches are provided to the university at no cost; the benches offer students, faculty, and visitors a convenient place to rest equipped with device-charging capabilities, all powered by the sun. This initiative aligns with the growing trend of universities embracing affordable sustainability.
The Bluebolt solar bench operates entirely off the grid, using solar power stored in a lithium battery. This configuration allows for four wireless charging pads, and four hardwired locations. In addition, the benches provide campus lighting in the evening and have enough stored power to last up to five days. Each bench features two backlit advertising panels, offering an opportunity for strategic partners to engage with students and faculty. Bluebolt manages all aspects of the program, including advertising sales within University approved categories, allowing for additional revenue generation while providing free solar benches to the campus community.
Willdan to deliver $11 million energy project for South Lake Tahoe
The city of South Lake Tahoe, California, has awarded Willdan Group Inc. an $11 million energy and infrastructure modernization project, including solar. This two-year project combines energy and operational efficiencies for a cost-effective solution that positions the city for future growth and improved sustainability.
“This project reduces our city’s carbon emissions while investing in long-term infrastructure that will benefit our community for years to come,” said Sara Letton, Sustainability Coordinator for the city of South Lake Tahoe. “It brings us closer to the goals in our Climate Action Plan, including 100% municipal renewable energy by 2032 and a 50% reduction in community-wide emissions by 2030.”
The project will provide the city with a cogeneration microturbine, photovoltaic solar panels that produce 415 kWdc, and advanced building automation systems across all city-operated buildings. Willdan will also install right-sized water meters, energy-efficient power transformers, and a new CO2 ice plant that uses an environmentally friendly refrigerant to produce ice for the community’s ice arena.
South Lake Tahoe is a general law city in El Dorado County, California, that was founded in 1965. Located 190 miles northeast of San Francisco and 60 miles southwest of Reno, Nevada, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, South Lake Tahoe boasts one of the most unique settings in the world, at the edge of an alpine lake of great natural beauty and environmental value. The city limits encompass an area of approximately 16 square miles with an average elevation of 6,200 feet above sea level and a population of 22,525.
Tags: commercial and industrial, Community Solar
