June 25, 2026
Fort Worth, a Texas-based renewable energy developer Vespers energy has broken ground on its new utility-scale solar project at Nazareth Solar.
The 201 MW project, located in the north Texas city of Tulia, is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2027, Vesper Energy officials said. The project covers approximately 1,000 acres of private land and is adjacent to the company’s 600 MW Hornet Solar site, which came online last year as one of the largest single-phase solar projects in the US.
“The breakthrough of Nazareth Solar is a new milestone for Vesper Energy,” said Juan Suarez, co-CEO of Vesper Energy. “We have a proven track record in this community, a team that knows how to deliver at this scale, and capital partners who have invested in us and in energy for Texas’ growing electricity demand. Nazareth Solar is the next step in that commitment.”
In its first year of operation, Hornet Solar delivered more than $5 million in local tax revenue, as well as 1.5 million MWh to the ERCOT network, according to Vesper Energy. The project’s success led to a $236 million funding round for Vesper’s next project, which became Nazareth Solar.
Now Nazareth is looking to follow in its sister project’s footsteps as it is expected to generate about $34 million in tax revenue for Swisher County over the long term for schools, roads and other county activities. Additionally, the project will generate enough electricity to power 53,000 Texas homes annually.
Building a stronger ERCOT
During construction, Nazareth Solar will create more than 200 jobs for contractors in North Texas, Vesper Energy officials say. The project will provide stable income for participating landowners, but perhaps most importantly, the site will provide relief to an ailing power grid in the Lone Star State.
Karl Smith, Vesper’s senior project management manager, says the start of work on Nazareth is an opportunity for the company to raise project safety and quality standards.
“Nazareth Solar will add 201 MW of electricity to the Texas grid, providing energy locally and regionally,” he added. “The groundbreaking work in Nazareth reflects what Vesper Energy has proven at Hornet Solar, and we are pleased to bring the same discipline and execution to this project from day one.”
The groundbreaking ceremony also included a $30,000 donation to the Tulia Fire Departmentcourtesy of Vesper Energy. The funding will go toward a new crew pickup, the department says, while Vesper and the Nazareth team plan to remain active in the local community during the project’s construction and beyond.
“Nazareth Solar represents a significant investment in our community and our future,” said Ja’Nell Wafer, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Tulia. “During construction, the project will create hundreds of jobs and generate economic activity that will benefit local businesses across the region.”
Tags: ERCOT, project, Texas, utility scale, Vesper Energy
