Construction begins on 7.5-MW solar portfolio for five Texas electric co-ops

Construction has begun on a portfolio of seven distribution‐connected ground-mount solar projects that will service the territories of five electric cooperatives in central and west Texas.
Renewable Energy developers Saturn Power and UPower Energy have worked collaboratively to develop this 7.5-MW solar portfolio which will bring clean, affordable, and locally sourced renewable energy to these communities. Saturn Power and UPower are helping these cooperatives provide emission‐free renewable energy to residents in their respective communities while also achieving meaningful cost savings through avoidance of demand charges and generation capacity charges from their transmission providers.
The generated electricity will be sold via individual 20‐year power purchase agreements with the cooperatives including PenTex Energy, Heart of Texas Electric Cooperative, Comanche County Electric Cooperative, Bartlett Electric Cooperative and South Plains Electric Cooperative. The projects range in size from 500 kW to 1.4 MW.
The opportunity to develop this solar portfolio was awarded to Saturn Power through a competitive RFP process run by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) on behalf of multiple Texas Electric Cooperatives. The Saturn team designed, developed and permitted the projects to Notice to Proceed (NTP) stage and then engaged local Texas developer UPower to take over the portfolio through financing, construction and long‐term ownership and operation.
“Saturn Power is thrilled to be working with UPower in order to bring this exciting portfolio to fruition,” said Doug Wagner, CEO for Saturn Power. “When looking for a local partner to take ownership of the projects, Saturn sought out a company who shared our values and vision, with UPower being an evident match from the beginning.”
“This partnership amongst developers and cooperatives is a testament to the value of the cooperative business model,” said Brandon Young, General Manager at Heart of Texas Electric Cooperative. “As individual cooperatives, we understood our member’s desire for renewable energy, and by working cooperatively, we were able to leverage our purchasing power to bring this project to fruition.”