July 27, 2026
This week on Projects Weekly, two utility-scale projects by rPlus Energies have reached milestones in the Boise, Idaho metropolitan area. In Colorado, SolarEdge and a few industry partners have donated a 60 kW solar project to Project Worthmore. Slightly further east in Nebraska, Wattmore has finished a battery project for Lincoln Energy System. Panamint Capital broke ground on the Big Rooter Power project in Texas, and PowerBank Corp. has announced a new project in New York. And all across the country, ESS Tech Inc. and Juniper Energy have partnered for sodium-ion battery deployments, with sights set on California. Keep reading for all the details!
PowerBank Corp. announces 3.2 MW Scofield Solar Project
Canadian energy development firm PowerBank Corp. has unveiled plans for its Scofield project, a 3.2 MWdc ground-mount solar project in Broome County, New York.
Eligible for incentives under the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) NY-Sun Program, the project is “progressing well,” its developer says. The project already has an interconnection application underway and, assuming receipt of its approval, PowerBank will be working to complete the permitting process and secure construction financing.
Bright spot: The Scofield is a redesign and relocation of PowerBank’s existing Boyle Road project in New York, company representatives say. The new project is expected to remain eligible for the U.S.’s Investment Tax Credits for energy projects as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Once online, the Scofield project will provide enough electricity to power 400 New York homes, the company says. The community solar project began work earlier this year, and retains an expected ITC value of about $3.2 million, according to PowerBank officials.
ESS, Juniper partner for sodium-ion battery projects
Battery solution provider ESS Tech Inc. has announced its signing of a letter of intent with renewable energy firm Juniper Energy LLC to partner for sodium-ion battery projects, beginning with a planned 80 MWh site in California.
The letter of intent establishes a partnership framework focused on multiple projects throughout the rest of the 2020s and beyond. The inter-company agreement says the two will collaborate on a new storage site in California, utilizing ESS’s recently announced Bridge battery module, and its energy management system. The project is targeted for operation sometime in 2027.
“This agreement with Juniper Energy validates ESS’s strategy to expand our technology portfolio and bring sodium-ion energy storage to market,” says Drew Buckley, CEO of ESS. “The planned deployment and long-term procurement framework reflect the accelerating customer demand we are seeing for safer, domestically sourced alternatives to conventional lithium-ion batteries.”
Bright spot: Juniper Energy has expressed its intent to procure 500 MWh or more of battery systems from ESS by 2032. The firms believe that increased demand demand in non-lithium batteries is creating “significant opportunities” in utility-scale energy sectors like AI data centers and commercial facilities.
“Juniper Energy is focused on partnering with companies that can successfully bring innovative energy technologies from development into commercial operation,” says Keith McDaniels, managing partner of Juniper Energy. “ESS has demonstrated its ability to integrate, deploy, and scale advanced energy storage solutions, giving us confidence in its ability to execute on next-generation sodium-ion technology.”
rPlus Energies advances utility-scale projects in Idaho
Utahn solar developer rPlus Energies has reached two major milestones for its utility-scale solar projects in Idaho, commissioning its 125 MW Pleasant Valley Solar 2 site, and breaking ground on the 400 MW Blacks Creek Energy Center.
The two projects go hand in hand, with both of them located in southern Idaho’s Ada County, which contains the Boise metropolitan area. The county has just over 546,000 residents according to U.S. census data, and is the most populous county in the Gem State overall.
“Pleasant Valley Solar 2 and Blacks Creek Energy Center represent important additions to Idaho’s energy infrastructure as we work to meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve,” says Lisa Grow, president and CEO of Idaho Power. “As Idaho’s energy needs continue to increase, we need a balanced portfolio of energy resources. We appreciate our strong partnership with rPlus Energies and the role these projects will play in helping provide reliable, affordable energy for our customers and communities.”
Bright spot: Together, the projects represent “continued investment” by rPlus into the state of Idaho. The firm has already developed more than 1 GW of solar and storage projects in the Potato State, and these most recent two projects will create hundreds of construction jobs off the back of the combined $750 million investment.
In addition to that investment, Pleasant Valley Solar 2’s project partners also provided $375,000 in workforce development scholarships for two local colleges. Both Boise State University and the College of Western Idaho received grant money to help create the state’s next generation of workers and tradesmen.
“Pleasant Valley Solar 2 and Blacks Creek Energy Center are critical for supporting Idaho’s continued economic growth and we envision this development as the next chapter in our long-term investment and commitment to the state,” says Luigi Resta, president and CEO of rPlus Energies.
SolarEdge leads industry partnership for project at Denver nonprofit
Smart energy technology firm SolarEdge Technologies and industry partners have donated and installed a 60 kW solar energy system at Project Worthmore, a nonprofit serving refugees in Denver’s metropolitan area.
The system will power the nonprofit’s 20,000 square foot Denver campus, which just received a fleet of other renovations. The organization will be able to reduce electricity costs “dramatically,” reinvesting those savings into programs that support families across all of Denver.
Bright spot: The installation is expected to eliminate most of the organization’s electrical expenses, saving about $1,000 per month, and $350,000 or more over 20 years. The installation also supports the city of Denver’s ongoing sustainability efforts, reducing carbon emissions to the tune of about 60 tons per year.
“This solar installation will allow Project Worthmore to redirect thousands of dollars every month into programs that directly support the families we serve,” says Project Worthmore executive director Frank Anello. “We’re incredibly grateful to the companies that came together to make this project possible and help ensure our new campus can serve the community for years to come.”
The solar installation is expected to be completed later this summer, with a ribbon cutting ceremony planned for early August. SolarEdge sped up the project’s timeline with work from multiple industry partners, including Pivot Energy, Greentech Renewables, and Denver-based installer Apollo Energy.
“Projects like this show what’s possible when companies across the solar industry work together to support their communities,” says Chuck Ellis, VP of commercial and industrial sales for SolarEdge. “By helping organizations like Project Worthmore reduce operating costs, solar energy can free up critical resources for the programs and services that matter most.”
Panamint Capital begins construction on 1.2 GW Big Rooter Power project
Panamint Capital has broken ground on its “historic” Big Rooter Power solar project at its Twin Oaks power station in eastern Texas’s Robertson County.
The project represents an investment of about $1.7 billion, and will be the largest solar project constructed at a coal mining site in all of North America. The first phase, good for 491 MWdc, will come online in August 2028, and the second, 658 MWdc phase will see commercial operation in 2029.
“Big Rooter Power represents our vision for getting more out of America’s energy infrastructure and ensuring America’s energy dominance,” says Panamint CEO Apolka Totth. “When Big Rooter is complete, the Twin Oaks complex will have 1.5 GW of operating thermal and renewable power, in addition to over 20 miles of new 345 kV transmission, 1.6 GWh of battery energy storage and 790 MW of Batch Zero data center capacity under development across our 10,000-acre site.”
Bright spot: Together, the project’s two phases will create more than 800 construction jobs, Panamint officials say. The project is a “transformation” of the Texan coal mining site, as the state looks to turn itself into a next-generation power and infrastructure hub, it says.
“We are proud to use domestically manufactured equipment made by American companies and installed by American workers,” says Bill Stanton, managing director of development. “Our long-term power purchase agreement with one of country’s largest companies will ensure the electricity we generate at Big Rooter will power job creation in the American economy into the 2050s.”
Big Rooter West, the project’s first phase, will have a strong emphasis on local hiring and vendor selection. The first phase alone is expected to contribute more than $66 million to the local economy.
Wattmore finishes construction on utility-scale battery project
Energy software firm Wattmore and its industry partners have completed the construction of its 3 MW / 12 MWh storage project for Nebraskan utility Lincoln Energy System.
The storage project marks the culmination of about four years of partnership between Wattmore and Bridge Renewables, the company says. Final commissioning will take place in the coming weeks, the company says.
Wattmore president and CEO Jonathan Postal says the team’s engineers will be meeting commercial operation requirements in the next few weeks.
“I want to thank our amazing partners at Pro-Bid Energy for their tireless EPC work, Bridge Renewables, now Apollo Capital, for their financing partnership, and our technology partners from Dynapower and Eos Energy,” he says. “Finally, I want to give a big shout out to the entire team at Lincoln Electric System for hosting and leading this innovative project.”
Bright spot: The project not only strengthens Nebraska’s local grid, but supports Lincoln Energy System’s community grid in downtown Lincoln. In the event of a power outage, the project will be able to keep the grid running thanks to its energy storage capabilities.
“Today’s ribbon cutting reflects LES’ long-standing commitment to innovation and responsible planning,” says Emeka Anyanwu, CEO of LES. “Projects like this help ensure we continue delivering safe, resilient and affordable energy while building a stronger future for our community.”
Lightsource, Meta expand partnership Louisiana PPA
Tech giant Meta and BP renewable energy subsidiary Lightsource have signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) for the new Mowata Solar project in Acadia Parish in southern Louisiana.
Construction on Mowata Solar is set to begin in 2026 and create up to 350 jobs in the area, Lightsource says. The PPA will add 172 MWdc of new generation to the local grid, furthering Meta’s wider commitment to energy capacity expansion.
“We’re committed to ensuring that the communities and grid infrastructure across Louisiana benefit from our presence,” says Amanda Yang, head of clean and renewable energy for Meta. “Partnering with Lightsource bp to bring 150MWac of new solar energy online through Mowata Solar is a meaningful step — it adds generation to the local grid and supports economic growth in Acadia Parish. We’re proud to contribute to a more resilient and energy-abundant Louisiana.”
Bright spot: Lightsource has also developed a long-term Land Management and Biodiversity Plan for Mowata Solar, the company says. The plan will support habitat conservation in the project’s affected area, as well as land restoration and other measures promoting biodiversity and ecovoltaics.
“Expanding our partnership with Meta through this PPA reinforces Lightsource bp’s ability to scale renewable energy solutions alongside the technology sector’s growing energy and operational needs,” says Emilie Wangerman, Lightsource bp’s COO and head of business in the U.S. “With Mowata Solar, Lightsource bp is investing $237 million in Louisiana’s energy infrastructure, creating hundreds of construction jobs and providing lasting economic benefits to Acadia Parish.
“This partnership exemplifies how renewable energy can support technological innovation and drive meaningful economic growth in communities across the Pelican State.”
Tags: commercial and industrial, Community Solar, project, Projects Weekly, utility-scale
