en.Wedoany.com Reported - Solar developer Avantus has signed a power purchase agreement with Clean Power Alliance for the Rexford 2 solar-plus-storage project in Tulare County, California. The agreement will deliver renewable energy to communities across Southern California. The project features 200 MWac of solar generation and 200 MW/800 MWh of battery storage, with Avantus stating its output can power 84,000 California homes. Valerie Barros, Avantus's Executive Vice President of Project Origination and Energy Markets, said that as California's energy demand grows, the company is committed to developing and operating projects that provide clean, reliable power. Partnering with Clean Power Alliance will strengthen the grid, bring high-quality jobs and local tax revenue to Tulare County, and deliver affordable renewable energy to help California meet its clean energy goals. Rexford 2 is expected to create over 500 union jobs during peak construction, along with permanent local operations roles, and generate "hundreds of millions of dollars" in tax revenue for the county. Lindsay Descagnia, Vice President of Power Supply at Clean Power Alliance, called the project a sound investment in California's clean energy future, noting that fixed long-term prices help protect customers from energy market volatility while providing renewable energy and battery storage that can meet demand during critical times.

Private equity firm Aligned Climate Capital has acquired the Armoracia project, a 7.3 MWdc community solar project in Collinsville Township, western Illinois. Purchased from renewable energy developer Planted Solar, the project is part of the Aligned Solar Partners strategy and will supply power to customers through Illinois's Adjustable Block Program, with commercial operation expected later this year. Aligned Climate Capital CEO Peter Davidson said the acquisition helps establish Planted's platform as commercially scalable infrastructure, designed for land-efficient deployment that enables solar to work on sites requiring more land under traditional methods. The ground-mounted project, under construction on approximately 16 acres near the Illinois-Missouri border, combines community solar generation with "ongoing productive land use," according to both companies. It uses Planted's high-density solar arrays that follow terrain contours, leaving space for agriculture, pollinator habitats, and other compatible uses. Planted CEO Eric Brown said community solar operations depend on compact land budgets and execution certainty, noting that Armoracia places 7.3 MW on 16 acres while keeping the land usable after the array's lifespan.

ClearGen Holdings LLC has announced the acquisition of a 19 MW portfolio of operating commercial and industrial solar assets from Tortoise Capital Advisors. The transaction includes 10 operating behind-the-meter solar projects across five states, from California to Massachusetts, with ClearGen acquiring 100% equity and assuming future asset management responsibilities. Representatives said the deal advances the company's overall strategy of investing in distributed energy infrastructure, aiming to solidify its role as a long-term owner and active asset manager in the solar sector. ClearGen CEO Rob Howard stated that the acquisition aligns perfectly with the company's strategy of acquiring and actively managing distributed energy assets for long-term value, emphasizing its commitment to long-term ownership of such assets.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved a site permit for the state's Lake Charlotte solar project and its accompanying battery system. Located in Rutland Township, Martin County, the project features a 150 MW solar facility and a 150 MW/600 MWh battery system. The final approval followed a "comprehensive" review process, including public hearings and a full-site environmental assessment. PUC officials stated that the Lake Charlotte solar-plus-storage project supports Minnesota's commitment to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 and plays a key role in meeting growing clean energy demand while enhancing grid reliability. The battery system will allow renewable energy to be stored and dispatched when most needed, improving grid stability during extreme weather. As part of the approval, the PUC adopted site requirements including wildlife-friendly fencing, dust and lighting controls, noise notifications, and a vegetation management plan, aimed at ensuring environmental stewardship throughout the project's lifecycle. Construction is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2027, with completion by the end of 2028.

Solar and storage developer PureSky Energy has completed a "milestone" $183.7 million refinancing of its operating assets in the community solar sector. The transaction consolidates eight existing debt portfolios into a single structure, with the portfolio comprising 211 MWdc of solar and 58 MWh of storage across 43 assets in Massachusetts, New York, and Minnesota. PureSky stated that consolidating multiple portfolios into a single financing vehicle allowed it to achieve "a level of scale and credit quality still uncommon in the community solar industry." PureSky CFO Rami Khadra said achieving an investment-grade rating on an asset portfolio of this scale is a significant milestone for both PureSky and the broader community solar industry, reflecting the strength of the assets and operating platform, enabling the company to eliminate near-term refinancing risk while continuing to invest in long-term growth. PureSky also noted it has internalized all community solar customer management functions, enhancing operational control across the portfolio, which will improve customer experience and strengthen its market position. Ty Bowman, Managing Director at participating investment firm PGIM, said the refinancing reflects the ongoing evolution of distributed generation portfolios into scalable infrastructure asset classes, with PureSky's diversified portfolio and long-term contracted cash flows supporting a durable credit profile, while its integrated customer management platform enhances operational performance—a key factor in underwriting long-term capital in the community solar market.

The Foothill Medical Center Association in California has announced the activation of a 300 kW rooftop and carport solar asset at its commercial headquarters in Foothill Ranch. The comprehensive solar and roof modernization was achieved through a fully financed power purchase agreement, funded by Sunrock Distributed Generation, with Watthub Renewables subsequently developing the project and SunRenu Solar constructing the required components. Under the agreement, the medical association received a fully operational solar system and a "comprehensive roof renovation." Ashley Cardo, Property Manager at Pacific Coast Commercial Real Estate and agent for the Foothill Medical Center Association, said that as a nonprofit commercial owners' association, every dollar of the operating budget matters to members. The project immediately reduces electricity costs, protects the association from utility rate increases, and provides a new roof with a warranty, all without requiring special assessments or tapping into reserves. Chris Leonard, Chief Revenue Officer at WattHub, noted that medical centers are exactly the type of property historically excluded from the commercial solar market, but through the PPA, the company was able to eliminate the biggest barrier to installing solar on such properties, paving the way for potentially iconic commercial and industrial projects in California. By structuring the PPA framework to cover both roof renovation and solar array, the single biggest barrier to solar adoption for such properties was removed. WattHub's work is about making clean energy work on real buildings with real constraints, and the Foothill project serves as a template already applied to other commercial owners' associations in Southern California: one agreement, one contractor, one lower monthly bill, and a new roof included.

Renewable energy developer and independent power producer (IPP) Sol Systems has announced the financial close of its 123 MWac Peoria Solar Portfolio in Illinois. The portfolio will advance construction in Knox, Tazewell, and Peoria counties, expected to generate approximately 280 GWh in its first year of operation, enough to power over 25,000 U.S. homes annually. Sol Systems CFO Richard Romero said the financial close of the Peoria Solar Portfolio demonstrates the strength of Sol's integrated development and financing platform, reflecting the company's ability to advance high-quality projects from development through construction with the necessary capital structure, execution discipline, and partner support, thereby building a lasting portfolio of owned operating assets. Prior to financial close, Sol Systems selected SOLV Energy as the EPC provider for the portfolio, following their previous collaboration on the Eldorado solar project in southern Illinois. Upon the portfolio's completion in 2027, the two companies will have partnered on over 550 MWac of solar projects in the U.S. SOLV Energy CEO George Hershman said the teams are jointly committed to safely and reliably delivering high-quality clean energy infrastructure while creating lasting value for the communities where projects are built, looking forward to bringing utility-scale EPC experience to another important Sol Systems portfolio in Illinois.

Spearmint Energy has announced that its Midwater Energy Storage Project in Freeborn County, Minnesota, has received a site permit from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The approval marks a significant milestone for the 150 MW/600 MWh battery storage project, one of the largest in the North Star State. The project represents Spearmint's second permit in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) region and will be built on 10 to 20 acres of private land adjacent to the Glenworth substation along Minnesota State Highway 65. Midwater will also be Spearmint's second project in Minnesota to go through the permitting process, following its Snowshoe Energy Storage Project in Olmsted County, which was the state's first approved standalone battery project. Spearmint Energy Chief Development Officer Peter Rood stated that battery energy storage systems play a critical role in strengthening grid reliability, storing energy when supply exceeds demand and returning it to the grid when most needed. As electricity demand continues to grow, projects like Midwater provide flexible infrastructure that supports grid stability, improves economics, and facilitates the integration of diverse generation resources.