May 18, 2026
This week on Projects Weekly, Streetleaf is expanding its solar-powered streetlight units through a new master-planned community in the Tampa Bay area. In Texas, DataBank is set to build the largest rooftop solar array in the entire Houston area, OCI Energy and Arava have an agreement on a project in La Salle County, and Ashtrom is breaking ground on ‘El Patrimonio’ in San Antonio. Slightly west of the Lone Star State, a group of solar firms is celebrating the near-completion of their community solar portfolio in New Mexico. DESRI and Meta have also announced a group of PPAs across the American south, and moving north, RWE surpassed 1 GW with its latest solar installation in Illinois. Finally, technology company Siemens USA has unveiled a new microgrid installation for its North Carolina headquarters facility. Keep reading for all that and more!
DataBank to deploy Houston’s largest rooftop solar project
Interconnection specialist DataBank has announced plans to install a 3.15 MW rooftop solar array at its data center near Houston, Texas.
Expected to be the largest rooftop array in the Houston metropolitan area, the solar installation will generate about 4.5 million kWh every year over its expected lifespan of about 25 years. Attaching it to the HOU3 data center, the system’s cost of energy will serve as a day-one energy hedge against pricing volatility.
“This project shows that achieving sustainability goals directly supports strong business performance in a grid-constrained world,” says Ethan Eisenberg, DataBank’s director of energy and sustainability management. “By generating renewable energy on site, we’re creating a cost-effective path to our net zero commitments while providing immediate value to our stakeholders.”
Bright spot: The installation is part of DataBank’s wider commitment to net-zero carbon emissions, as well as its endeavor toward 100% carbon-free power generation by 2030. Selected for its optimal weather and roof conditions, the new facility provides both connectivity and scalable power for DataBank’s customers.
Coloradan EPC firm Wunder Power will manage everything from the design and construction of the project, to maintenance throughout its lifespan. DataBank is also evaluating plans for further opportunities across its network of more than 70 data centers.
Streetleaf expands solar streetlights in Tampa Bay
Solar-powered streetlight provider Streetleaf is continuing its installation efforts in the Sunshine State.
With a new installation coming to Tampa Bay’s Pasco County, the company will be lighting the streets of Pasadena Ridge, a new master-planned community in Dade City, Florida. The installation will extend the county’s reputation as one of the highest concentrations of solar streetlights in the U.S., topping out at more than 5,400 units.
“We’re excited to continue building upon our Shine on Florida initiative with another installation in Pasco County,” says Streetleaf CEO Liam Ryan. “With less than a month away from the start of hurricane season, we’re increasing safety and resiliency for homeowners without them having to lift a finger. We look forward to continuing to scale our solar lighting infrastructure across the state to build more storm-resilient communities.”
Bright spot: Complete with built-in battery backup, 24/7 monitoring, and 100% renewable energy power, the lights will stay on during extreme weather events and power outages, representatives say.
Following its first phase of installation within Pasadena Ridge, the company will install another 173 solar-powered streetlight units in the community over the next few months. Mark Methent, president of Casa Fresca, a subsidiary of Homes by Westbay, says that working with Streetleaf furthers the company’s mission of bettering life for homeowners in Tampa Bay.
“Being able to enhance the safety, functionality and aesthetic of our communities at the onset with solar streetlights gives our homebuyers an instant advantage that we’re proud to provide,” he says.
DESRI, Meta announce 850 MW of new PPAs
Spanning three states across the central southern U.S., renewable energy producer DESRI has announced 850 MW worth of new power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Mark Zuckerberg-led tech giant Meta.
Made up of 500 MW in Oklahoma, 200 MW in Texas, and another 150 MW in Mississippi, the new contracts make up about a third of DESRI and Meta’s total power partnerships. Now located across nine states, the PPAs support Meta’s ongoing efforts to add further generation to the grid to support its data center electricity needs.
“Our energy infrastructure partnership with Meta now spans nine states and more than two and a half gigawatts across the country,” says Hy Martin, chief development officer of DESRI. “These projects support Meta’s energy commitments and they will generate significant economic development for local rural economies across the country.”
Bright spot: DESRI expects about 1.11 GW worth of its new projects to begin construction this year, officials say. The company adds that each project aims to create “hundreds” of local construction jobs, and contribute to the locate economy.
“DESRI has been a valued partner as we work to bring new energy to grids across the United States. This expanded partnership — now spanning nine states — reflects our commitment to supporting the communities where we operate,” says Amanda Yang, head of clean and renewable energy at Meta.
DESRI hopes to include funding allocations in these PPAs for high school scholarships, which are awarded to students who are interested in renewable energy careers.
Representatives from Pluma Construction, ForeFront Power, Standard Solar, and Solstice gathered on May 13 to celebrate community solar in New Mexico, the companies say.
Structured as an eight-project, 48.4 MW portfolio across the Land of Enchantment, the entire suite of projects has been developed by Pluma Construction, who themselves are based in New Mexico. The portfolio as a whole is a reflection of Standard Solar’s broader commitment to the southwestern state, officials say.
Bright spot: Seven of the eight projects in the portfolio are already complete, the company says, with its final one, Otero, set to come online by the end of 2026. The Pino community solar site, located in New Mexico’s lesser-known Las Vegas, produced more than 14,700 MWh in its first year.
All eight of the New Mexican projects use single-axis tracker systems, according to officials. Residents in areas of service can check their subscription eligibility and enrollment opportunities through Solstice, as the portfolio continues to expand utility bill savings across the state.
RWE cuts ribbon on Emily Solar in Illinois
RWE Americas has announced the completion of Emily Solar, a new 273.6 MW project in Clark and Cumberland Counties in eastern Illinois.
Bright spot: The portfolio addition brings RWE’s total numbers to more than 1 GW of solar across the Land of Lincoln. Alongside three wind energy projects, the company’s two solar arrays provide enough electricity to power hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across Illinois.
“As electricity demand continues to grow across Illinois, reaching 1 GW of operating capacity in this state is an important milestone for RWE and for the communities we serve,” says Hanson Wood, chief development officer of RWE Americas. “Emily Solar shows how energy projects can deliver safe abundant, reliable power while creating jobs and providing tangible local benefits for Clark and Cumberland Counties.”
During peak construction, Emily Solar created about 400 jobs in the immediate area, officials say. Joe Riley, president of LiUNA Local 159 and Downstate Illinois LECET director, says the project “an amazing example of a developer and union labor coming together.”
Over its lifetime, Emily Solar is expected to generate about $30 million in property tax revenue across the two counties to support roads, schools, and other infrastructure. Additionally, RWE has pledged to donate $15,000 to local youth sports initiative Casey Youth Soccer.
Siemens unveils microgrid at North Carolina headquarters
Siemens USA has unveiled an on-site microgrid with an output of up to 1.25 MWac at its Wendell, North Carolina headquarters. The system can meet 100% of the facility’s energy needs with solar and storage, representatives say.
The new microgrid is expected to significantly improve the company’s electrical resilience, insulating it from power outages and potential rolling blackouts in the near future.
Bright spot: Paired with a 3.9 MWh battery storage system, the project enables Siemens USA’s headquarters facility to achieve carbon neutral operations, the company says. Additionally, the microgrid will reduce the company’s overall grid consumption to 2.5 MWh annually.
“There is no question that we must do more to lower energy costs for North Carolinians and strengthen the resilience of our electric grid,” says U.S. Congresswoman Deborah Ross. “I’m grateful to see Siemens stepping up in Wendell with innovative investments that will expand clean, reliable energy. In Congress, I will keep working to advance commonsense solutions that drive down costs and accelerate North Carolina’s clean energy future.”
Brian Dula, president of electrification and automation at Siemens USA, says the new microgrid is one of the most advanced on the market today. As the largest solar and storage project of its kind on Duke Energy’s distribution network, the grid “sets a new standard” for renewable energy in the Carolinas.
“It’s a true showcase of Siemens’ end-to-end portfolio of products,” Dula says, “from generation to consumption and demonstrates not only how we’re making our own operations more efficient but also displays what we can do for our customers.”
Ashtrom breaks ground on ‘El Patrimonio’ in San Antonio
Ashtrom Renewable Energy, CPS Energy, SOLV Energy, and local elected officials have broken ground on a new solar facility near San Antonio.
Dubbed El Patrimonio, literally “The Heritage,” the project’s construction actually began last year in southern Texas’s Bexar County. El Patrimonio is expected to be completed in 2027, and once operational, it will supply electricity to about 37,000 households annually.
Bright spot: The project is set to reduce carbon emissions by 193 tons annually, according to Ashtrom representatives. Under a 20-year power purchase agreement with CPS Energy, the San Antonio-based utility will purchase about 70% of electricity generated by the project throughout its lifetime.
“CPS Energy is the number one buyer of solar energy in Texas,” says Frank Almaraz, COO of CPS Energy. “Today’s groundbreaking and partnership with Ashtrom helps maintain our leadership position. Renewable energy is also a key part of delivering on our diverse generation plan to meet our growing population’s needs.”
SOLV Energy CEO George Hershman says the groundbreaking is the start of a crucial partnership for San Antonio’s energy landscape.
“From construction through operations, SOLV is committed to delivering this project safely, efficiently, and with a focus on long term performance – supporting Ashtrom’s vision and Texas’ growing energy needs,” he says.
OCI Energy, Arava Power execute MIPA for Texan solar asset
Signing a membership interest purchase agreement with OCI Energy, Arava Power will now acquire a 50% ownership interest in La Salle Solar, a 670 MWdc utility-scale solar project near Texas’s southern border.
As part of the agreement, Arava will also jointly finance, construct, own, and operate the project, officials say. Set to begin commercial operations by 2028, the La Salle project is the largest single-site solar project to date for either firm and will generate enough power for 100,000 homes at peak operation.
“Executing a project of this scale is the result of deep market knowledge, strong partnerships, and a focused approach to development,” says Sabah Bayatli, president of OCI Energy. “Texas continues to be the foundation of our portfolio, and La Salle demonstrates our ability to deliver repeatable, high-quality projects that meet the evolving needs of the grid.”
Bright spot: This transaction is the third between the two companies and shows promise for the future of their collaboration in Texan solar market. Arava Power CEO Ilan Zidkony calls the project-wide partnership “a testament” to the company’s increasing North American momentum.
“Securing this 670 MWdc project strengthens our platform and underscores the seamless alignment between our team and OCI Energy,” he says. “We are on track to break ground by year-end, further accelerating our mission to deliver large-scale, sustainable energy solutions.”
Tags: commercial and industrial, Community Solar, Projects Weekly, rooftop solar, utility-scale
