This edition of Projects Weekly highlights a Strata Clean Energy breaking ground on a 600 MWh energy storage project near Phoenix. Plus, SolarBank is developing a 4.584 MW solar project in New York, Ameresco partnered with Matchbook Learning to provide solar for a high school and career center in Indiana, and Standard Solar has added 39 MW of community solar in Illinois. All this and more await in the paragraphs ahead.
Strata Clean Energy celebrated the groundbreaking of the Justice Energy Storage facility in Maricopa County, Arizona. The event brought together executives from Strata, Arizona Public Service (APS), and other local stakeholders. The 150 MW / 600 MWh project near Phoenix is expected to be operational in April 2026, delivering four hours of battery capacity that can power roughly 24,000 homes.
“This project underscores our long-term commitment to enabling a resilient, decarbonized energy future,” said Tiago Sabino Dias, Chief Commercial Officer at Strata Clean Energy. “Justice will help Arizona move closer to its clean energy goals while supporting the economic vitality of the region.”
Cool factor: Once completed, Justice will play a critical role in strengthening Arizona’s grid reliability. It will assist in storing excess renewable energy generated during the day and dispatch it during peak evening demand—especially vital during Arizona’s extreme summer heatwaves. Justice was awarded through APS’s All-Source RFP launched in June 2023 and is part of a 20-year tolling agreement between Strata and APS. Strata will develop, own, and operate the project as part of its portfolio of renewable and energy storage assets.
SolarBank develops 4.584 MW Forest Hill Rd project in New York
SolarBank Corp. plans to develop a 4.584 MWdc ground-mount community solar power project known as the Forest Hill Rd project on a site in upstate New York. With a secured site lease and interconnection study underway, the project is another key addition to SolarBank’s expanding development pipeline, which exceeds 1 GW.
SolarBank CEO Dr. Richard Lu commented on the recent increase of tariffs on South-east Asia solar cells and the company’s plans to manage its supply chain.
“SolarBank has not been importing solar panels from any of the four countries that are subject to the tariffs announced by the U.S. Department of Commerce on April 21, 2025,” Lu said. “As a result its present operations are not affected by this announcement. In addition, SolarBank has been exploring sourcing solar panels from other jurisdictions such as the Middle East and North America, where (domestic assembled) solar panels are becoming cost competitive with the panels imported from Asia. SolarBank also has significant development opportunities in Canada where solar panels are not subject to the same tariffs. Finally, I am expecting that electricity costs will increase in response to these tariffs which will further mitigate the financial impact on projects. Overall, SolarBank is well positioned to manage this risk.”
Cool factor: The project will be eligible for the VDER rate compensation mechanism under NY Public Utility Commission case 15-E-0751. The year one average compensation is currently projected at $0.0971/kWh. The VDER (Value of Distributed Energy Resources) rate for solar projects in New York is the rate payable to the owner of the Project in return for the energy that is supplied to the grid.
Ameresco cuts ribbon on Matchbook Learning center in Indiana
Ameresco Inc. and Matchbook Learning Schools of Indiana Inc. hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Match High School and Career Center in Indianapolis. The ceremony celebrated a key milestone in the more than $20 million project to provide solar and other energy efficiency improvements to the facility.
To ensure the school could welcome its first class of over 50 students for the 2024 academic year, Ameresco expedited construction of the career center, completing that building in summer 2024. Construction of the main school was completed in March 2025, allowing students to transition to the new space for the remainder of the year.
Cool factor: The school’s new 165 kW photovoltaic (PV) solar and battery energy storage system (BESS), which will provide reliable, renewable backup energy to power the school’s operations, is slated to be installed later in 2025. Among the energy efficiency improvements already installed over the last year are advanced building automation controls, building envelope improvements, insulated thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roofs, interior and exterior LED lighting upgrades, heat pump hot water heaters and HVAC upgrades. These upgrades will ensure the buildings are resource efficient, leading to long-term cost savings.
The Match High School and Career Center is designed to support a comprehensive, technologically enhanced curriculum aligned with Matchbook’s mission to provide every student with a clear pathway to success. The career center will offer vocational and apprenticeship programs in construction trades, welding, engineering, and entrepreneurship. By integrating hands-on learning opportunities with advanced energy systems and infrastructure, the school aims to equip students with the tools and experience they need for sustainable careers.
Standard Solar acquires 39 MW community solar portfolio in Illinois
Standard Solar has acquired a 39 MW community solar portfolio in Illinois from New Leaf Energy, an experienced developer of clean energy projects.
This latest addition significantly expands Standard Solar’s footprint in the state, bringing its total number of owned, operational, in-construction and contracted projects in Illinois to more than 30, totaling 150 MW.
Cool factor: The newly acquired portfolio comprises five community solar projects in towns across Illinois: Blackstone, Braceville, Dwight, Seneca and Wadsworth. The projects use a mix of single-axis tracker and ground mount technology, and are collectively expected to produce more than 46,700 MWh of clean energy in their first year of operation.
The five community solar projects will allow residents and businesses to subscribe to clean, renewable energy and receive credits on their electricity bills, making solar accessible to those who cannot install solar panels on their property.
Ipsun Solar partners with EYA to bring rooftop solar to D.C. townhomes
Ipsun Solar has teamed up with with EYA, Washington, D.C.’s leading developer of urban and transit-oriented properties. Through the partnership, Ipsun will provide homebuyers with the option for rooftop solar panel installations for EYA’s new townhomes at Reservoir District, a sustainability-focused, all-electric community currently under development in Washington, D.C.
Cool factor: Through this partnership, homebuyers can select to seamlessly add a complete solar system during the design phase of their townhome purchase. Ipsun Solar will install between 8 and 14 high-efficiency 425 W panels, depending on the home model, along with a solar inverter for reliable, clean power from day one. Residents who install solar at Reservoir District can benefit from a 30% federal tax credit and generate income through Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs)—currently valued at $415 each in Washington, D.C. The solar systems are backed by Ipsun Solar’s 10-year workmanship warranty, along with Q CELLS’ 25-year equipment and production warranties.
Recurrent Energy energizes 127 MW solar project in Louisiana
Recurrent Energy hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at Bayou Galion Solar, a 127 MWdc solar project located in Northeast Louisiana. The project commenced operations in November 2024.
To celebrate the project’s commercial operation, Recurrent Energy welcomed local leaders to the site in Morehouse Parish for a guided tour and ribbon cutting ceremony. Bayou Galion Solar generates enough electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 20,500 homes annually while providing a substantial source of new tax revenue for the local community. In connection with the event, Recurrent Energy is also making a donation to the Cotton Country Players, a local theatre group, in support of the nearby historic Rose Theatre.
Cool factor: Solar energy investments in Louisiana are growing, driven by increasing demand for electricity from manufacturing and data centers. By the end of 2024, cumulative solar investment in Louisiana reached more than $2 billion. A subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc., Recurrent Energy is a global developer, owner, and operator of solar and energy storage assets.
Tags: commercial and industrial, Community Solar, utility-scale
