Lightsource bp has successfully closed on a $460 million multi-project financing package, which will support the construction and operation of a 368 megawatt (MW) portfolio comprised of two utility-scale solar projects in the United States. Power purchase agreements with prominent renewable energy buyers were key to achieving this milestone.
The 368MW portfolio includes the following two projects, both scheduled to come online in 2024:
Kevin Smith, CEO of the Americas, Lightsource bp, said, “By leveraging domestic content incentives offered in the Inflation Reduction Act, both the Honeysuckle and Prairie Ronde solar projects provide exciting examples of the IRA’s benefits in real action. With the right policies, we can boost made-in-America products, create jobs and reduce our nation’s foreign dependence.”
Nearly 800,000 solar panels manufactured by Arizona based First Solar will be installed across both projects, along with smart solar trackers from New Mexico based Array Technologies.
Construction of both solar farms is underway, creating a combined 450 jobs, with a focus on recruiting from the local labor pools. Lightsource bp selected the following Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contractors:
In addition to economic benefits, the Honeysuckle and Prairie Ronde solar projects will help address two of the most pressing environmental crises facing our planet today: climate change and biodiversity loss. The primary purpose of solar is to reduce carbon emissions from electricity generation, and at a competitive price. Collectively, the projects will abate more than 235,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year, the equivalent of taking about 85,000 fuel-burning cars off the road, contributing to healthier air quality.
Additionally, Lightsource bp works to increase biodiversity under and around the solar panels at our projects, as part of our Responsible Solar ethos.
Image from Lightsource bp.
