December 1, 2025
Welcome back from the Thanksgiving holiday (for those of you in the United States). This edition of Projects weekly highlights RWE’s recently commissioned 200 MW PV + 200 MWh storage Stoneridge Solar project in Texas. In addition, Wisconsin utilities received approval to add solar + storage and other renewable energy sources to the state’s energy supply. In addition, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (Colville Tribes) in northeastern Washington and Open Access Technology International Inc. (OATI) together to deploy microgrids throughout the reserve. Finally, a school district in Minnesota is switching to solar energy through a partnership with All Energy Solar.
RWE boosts solar and storage project in Texas
RWE has commissioned its Stoneridge Solar project, delivering 200 MW of PV and 100 MW (200 MWh) of battery storage in Milam County, Texas.
“Stoneridge Solar is a great example of the power of local partnership and the positive role energy projects play in driving economic growth,” said Andrew Flanagan, CEO of RWE Clean Energy. “We are helping Texas and the nation secure their energy future with scalable, homegrown energy, while also delivering meaningful benefits to communities across America’s heartland.”
Cool factor: Stoneridge Solar created more than 200 construction jobs and now supports permanent operations positions. The project is expected to generate millions in tax revenue for Milam County and the Thorndale Independent School District, with direct investments supporting first responders and educational initiatives. From funding renovations at Thorndale Elementary School to partnering with the local volunteer fire department, RWE helps communities like Milam County stay resilient and prosperous.
RWE’s energy capacity in the United States has grown to more than 11 GW, reinforcing the company’s leadership in delivering reliable and affordable power to homes and businesses.
MGE adds solar + storage and other renewable energy sources to Wisconsin’s energy supply
Utilities in Wisconsin are working together to add more renewable energy to the state’s energy supply. Madison Gas and Electric (MGE), in partnership with We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS), subsidiaries of WEC Energy Group, has received approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to purchase solar, battery storage and wind capacity from four renewable energy projects. MGE will own a total of 35 MW of solar energy, 5 MW of battery storage and almost 18 MW of wind energy from the various projects.
“The approval of these projects is another important step in our ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions, increase our use of cost-effective renewable generation and advance new technologies that can benefit all customers,” said Jeff Keebler, chairman, president and CEO of MGE. “With our current plans, by 2030 we will have added more than 40 renewable generation and battery storage projects since 2015, for a total of more than 750 MW, propelling us toward our goal of carbon-neutral electricity by 2050.”
Cool factor: MGE will own a 10% stake in four renewable energy projects, including two solar projects, the Saratoga Solar Energy Center and Ursa Solar Park. The Saratoga Solar Energy Center will include a 150 MW solar array and a 50 MW battery energy storage system located in Wood County. MGE will have 15 MW of solar capacity and 5 MW of battery storage. The solar panels and battery energy storage system are both expected to start serving customers in 2028. The Ursa Solar Park is a 200 MW solar facility that will be located in Columbia County. MGE will have 20 MW of solar capacity. The solar panels are expected to start serving customers in 2027.
The company will also own shares in two wind farm projects. The Badger Hollow Wind Farm is a 112 MW project in Iowa and Grant counties. MGE will have 11.2 MW of wind capacity. The wind farm is expected to start serving customers in 2027. The Whitetail Wind Farm is a 67 MW wind farm that will be located in Grant County. MGE will have 6.7 MW of wind capacity. The wind farm is expected to start serving customers in 2027.
Colville tribes seek energy sovereignty through microgrids
The Confederate Tribes of the Colville Reservation (Colville Strains) and Open Access Technology International Inc. (OATI) has announced a groundbreaking partnership to advance tribal energy sovereignty and resilience through the design and deployment of multiple microgrids on the reservation in northeastern Washington. The program represents an important step toward improving reliability, reducing outages and providing long-term energy independence for the Colville Tribes. The initiative is supported by federal and state grants and addresses vulnerabilities such as winter storm disruptions and wildfire risks.
OATI provides professional project design and development services, hardware and its advanced GridMind platform to support the microgrids through resource management and market integration. Planned locations include:
- Nespelem HQ Campus (Lucy F. Covington Government Center): Rooftop solar, battery energy storage, EV charging and microgrid controls, with an expansion to create a full campus resiliency hub.
- Paschal Sherman Indian School (PSIS) Community: Microgrid design to support education and community resilience.
- Keller and Inchelium Districts: Additional distributed energy resources and microgrid infrastructure for local resilience.
Cool factor: The Colville Tribes microgrid program is rooted in the principle of energy sovereignty: the right of tribes to produce, supply and manage energy on their own lands. Because the Colville Reservation is served by multiple utilities offering varying levels of service, the ability to generate electricity on your own provides resiliency and reliability for vulnerable communities and ensures that critical services, including healthcare, commercial and housing, remain powered during power outages. Colville Tribes can also deploy microgrids to provide additional grid benefits to local utilities and/or enter energy markets as they evolve and grow.
“Since the Colville Reservation is in a remote location and subject to natural events such as winter storms and fires, it has always been difficult for us to maintain a reliable power supply,” said Jarred-Michael Erickson, chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. “Our hope is that this microgrid technology will not only keep our lights on, but also position us for new economic opportunities.”
Future expansions will include integration with gaming operations and potential data centers, supported by tribally owned utility and telecom infrastructure. With multiple microgrids on the way, Colville Tribes is establishing itself as a leader in tribal energy innovation. The partnership not only secures reliable power, but also positions the tribe for new economic opportunities, including data center hosting and advanced commercial development on tribal lands.
Minnesota’s school district is switching to solar energy with All Energy Solar
Earlier this year, Minneota Public Schools made a bold transition to solar energy to meet the high school’s electrical needs. All energy solar energya leading solar installer in the Midwest, headquartered in St Paul, Minnesota, helped the school make that transition with help from a state program designed specifically for these types of projects.
“The school’s solar energy system has a capacity of 47.56 kW and consists of 82 panels installed on the roof of the gymnasium,” said Les Engler, Minneota facilities manager. “The system has worked very well for the school with the help of All Energy Solar.”
In 2021, the Minnesota Legislature launched the Solar energy grant program for schools for all school districts in the state. This program aims to encourage the installation of solar energy systems for educational institutions while providing the opportunity to incorporate renewable energy awareness and instruction into the schools’ curriculum.
Cool factor: Minneota Public Schools, a kindergarten through 12th grade school district in southwestern Minnesota, is a beacon of academic excellence. With impressive rankings, including No. 17 in the state for State Assessment Proficiency and No. 19 in State Assessment Performance, coupled with a remarkable 100% graduation rate, the school’s commitment to educational excellence is unwavering. When Minneota Schools learned about the Solar for Schools program in 2024, it pursued a project as a progressive solution that benefits both the environment and the community.
There are currently three science classes that incorporate solar energy into their curriculum. Each class uses an innovative app that allows them to monitor the solar inverters of the new array and even the individual yield of solar panels. This hands-on experience not only enriches their understanding of renewable energy, but also allows them to interact with real-world technology in a meaningful way.
Tags: Projects Weekly
