Latest news with #SolarEnergyCenter
International Business Times
2 days ago
- Business
- International Business Times
Meta Partners with Invenergy, Secures 791 MW of Clean Energy to Power AI-Driven Data Centers
Technology giant Meta has inked a new deal with renewable energy producer Invenergy to buy 791 megawatts (MW) of solar and wind energy. The deal will help meet the increasing electricity needs of Meta's data centers, which have been growing at a rapid pace to support the company's artificial intelligence operations. Both companies confirmed that they had agreed to the deal, which is the latest of a string of renewable energy pacts made by the social media company. The deal also involves four projects currently being developed in Ohio, Arkansas, and Texas, Invenergy said. The power produced will be delivered to local grids, and Meta will get credit for clean energy. Ohio's Yellow Wood Solar Energy Center and Pleasant Prairie Solar Energy Center will produce 300 MW and 140 MW of power, respectively. Arkansas is home to our Decoy Solar Energy Center, which will add another 155 MW to our system. The 196-megawatt Seaway Wind Energy Center will be built in Texas. The financial value of the agreement between the two companies was not revealed. This new deal will bring the Mark Zuckerberg-led company's clean energy partnership with Invenergy to 1,800 MW. The social media giant signed contracts for 760 MW of solar power with Invenergy in 2023. Meta has also struck other clean power deals beyond its Invenergy deal, including 650 MW of solar energy from deals with AES through projects in Kansas and Texas. These initiatives are designed to fuel Meta's growing AI capabilities, which depend on large-scale data processing and energy-intensive computing infrastructure. According to the company, these initiatives are part of its larger bid to match the rapid energy consumption of its AI-focused infrastructure with zero-carbon sources. The company has also announced four solar projects of 595 MW, 505 MW, and two at 200 MW each in Texas this year. The projects contribute to Meta's aggregate renewable energy portfolio, which now exceeds 12 gigawatts (GW). Texas has emerged as a leading solar hub due to favorable factors like abundant sunshine, quick permitting, and ease of connection to the grid. The state led the U.S. in new solar capacity in 2023 and 2024, according to data from the Solar Energy Industry Association. Meta's power strategy involves exploring other forms of clean power, like geothermal and nuclear. The company has invited proposals from nuclear developers and partnered with large-scale solar and geothermal providers.
Business Journals
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
A look at OUC's expansive solar initiative for business and residential customers in Central Florida
As Central Florida's commercial development accelerates, so too does demand for resilient, sustainable power. To meet that challenge and position the region for a low-carbon future, the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC— The Reliable One) has officially commenced operation of the largest solar project in its 100-year history: the Harmony II Solar Energy Center and the Storey Bend Solar Energy Center. Spanning over 1,200 acres in Osceola County and equipped with nearly 400,000 high-efficiency solar panels, the dual-site project more than double the utility's solar generation to 271.5 megawatts, which is enough to power roughly 50,000 typical OUC-customer homes. 'As we officially launch these two solar energy centers, we're more than doubling OUC's solar energy capacity and helping our customers reach their clean energy goals while fulfilling our vision to be an innovative solutions provider and partner of choice in Central Florida,' said Clint Bullock, OUC General Manager & CEO Designed with bifacial panels that rotate to follow the sun, the sites are optimized to maximize output throughout the day. Strategic partnerships anchor the launch of SunChoice Two prominent Central Florida institutions, AdventHealth and Comcast NBCUniversal, are early subscribers to OUC's SunChoice community solar program and are serving as anchor tenants for the new sites. AdventHealth has committed to offsetting 50% of its energy usage in OUC's service territory through a subscription to the Harmony II facility, supporting sustainability goals without the need for onsite infrastructure. Meanwhile, Comcast NBCUniversal, parent company of Universal Destinations & Experiences, has subscribed to solar output from Storey Bend, purchasing and matching 30% of the electricity used by the Universal Orlando Resort accounts included in the contract. 'We're pleased to support the local clean economy here in Florida while growing our business through Universal Destinations & Experiences,' said Tom Ciarlone, VP of Real Estate & Energy at Comcast NBCUniversal. 'Shifting to clean energy to help power our world-class theme parks is just another way we seek to provide our guests with more innovative and sustainable entertainment experiences.' SunChoice: Solar at scale The OUC SunChoice program offers customers the opportunity to help accelerate deployment of solar generation in Central Florida. As many businesses are deciding that they'd like the majority of their consumed energy to come from renewable sources, but may not have the capital costs to outlay, OUC SunChoice allows these customers to subscribe and offset up to 100% of their consumption, helping them make a demonstrated difference. The benefits of SunChoice stem from the program's simplicity. With variants for both commercial and residential customers, SunChoice allows participants to offset a portion, or all, of their renewable energy consumption with solar energy. Although commercial subscribers don't receive renewable energy directly generated by these solar energy centers, they do receive Green-e® Energy certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) that's verified and retired in their name. These RECs serve as documentation of the customer's action to offset their consumption with a specific amount of renewable energy generated on their region's grid. Most attractive to businesses, SunChoice eliminates the need for capital investment and logistical hurdles that often accompany solar adoption, making renewable energy an easy choice. For commercial customers, it presents an opportunity to enhance environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and achieve sustainability goals without the complications of installing and maintaining physical infrastructure. 'At OUC, we believe renewable energy isn't just the path to clean energy; it's part of the future of doing business in Central Florida,' said Bullock. Enhancing solar growth With the launch of the two new solar energy centers, OUC is reinforcing its reputation as one of the Southeast's most ambitious utilities when it comes to solar deployment. In 2024, the utility was named the No. 1 'SunRiser' by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy — a recognition awarded to utilities demonstrating the highest growth in solar watts per customer. This marked the sixth consecutive year that SACE has named OUC as a 'SunRiser' among utilities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. For developers, institutions and growing enterprises, programs like SunChoice offer a direct pathway to align energy strategy with sustainability goals — at scale and without added complexity.
Business Wire
06-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
MGE to Add More Local Solar and Battery Storage with Sunnyside Solar Energy Center
MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) received approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) to build a 20-megawatt (MW) solar array and 40-MW battery storage system in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Known as the Sunnyside Solar Energy Center, the project will provide locally generated solar energy to MGE's distribution system. "MGE shares with our customers the goal of a more sustainable energy future," said Jeff Keebler, MGE Chairman, President and CEO. "The Sunnyside Solar Energy Center builds on the progress we've already made reducing carbon emissions, increasing our use of cost-effective, locally generated renewable energy and advancing new technologies to benefit all our customers. By also working with customers to advance energy efficiency and electrification, we can achieve our sustainable energy goals." Sunnyside Solar Energy Center details The Sunnyside Solar Energy Center will be located off Whalen Road in Fitchburg. The 20 MW of solar capacity are expected to generate enough electricity annually to serve about 6,000 households. The 40 MW of four-hour battery storage will provide electricity during times when energy demand is greatest and when renewable capacity is insufficient to meet all customer needs. EDF Renewables is the project developer. The solar array is expected to begin serving customers in 2026; the battery storage is expected in 2027. Other nearby solar projects The Sunnyside Solar Energy Center will be one of a number of solar facilities in Fitchburg serving MGE customers. Strix Solar is a 6-MW facility that came online in early 2025. The project serves all MGE electric customers with locally generated, carbon-free energy. MGE has requested to assign two megawatts of the project to serve the company's proposed Shared Solar - Strix program. Shared Solar - Strix is based on MGE's original and fully subscribed community solar program, Shared Solar. Tyto Solar is a 6-MW solar array that came online in early 2024. Tyto Solar is a distributed energy resource that is connected to MGE's distribution system. It serves all MGE electric customers. The O'Brien Solar Fields is a 22-MW facility that came online in 2021. This project provides solar energy to seven local businesses, municipalities, government agencies and public institutions through separate Renewable Energy Rider agreements. Working toward 80% reduced carbon emissions by 2030 Reduced carbon emissions is MGE's goal. MGE is working to decarbonize the electricity we supply to customers, targeting carbon reductions consistent with global climate science as quickly, responsibly and cost-effectively as we can. By 2030, on behalf of all customers, MGE expects to deliver electricity with 80% fewer carbon emissions, and by 2050, we expect to deliver net-zero carbon electricity. MGE already is halfway to its 2030 goal to reduce carbon emissions by 80% compared to 2005 levels. Growing our use of cost-effective, cleaner energy and working with customers to advance energy efficiency and the electrification of transportation are all key strategies for deep decarbonization. Learn more about MGE's other solar projects. About MGE MGE generates and distributes electricity to 167,000 customers in Dane County, Wis., and purchases and distributes natural gas to 178,000 customers in seven south-central and western Wisconsin counties. MGE's parent company is MGE Energy, Inc. The company's roots in the Madison area date back more than 150 years.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
4 more West Michigan communities get EGLE grants for solar projects
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Four more West Michigan communities will receive funding help from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy for solar energy projects. EGLE awards $1.25 million in funding to Muskegon County solar farm EGLE announced the fourth round of grants from the on Tuesday, doling out another $8.1 million. Lee Township will receive the bulk of the grants. The Calhoun County entity will receive $4,040,000 for the . Bethel Township in Branch County will receive $1 million for the . Hart Township in Oceana County will receive $600,000 for the . Barry County will receive $297,500 for the . Eight total projects will be supported in all in this round of RRCA grants. The projects supported by this round will eventually produce 1,836 megawatts of solar power — enough to power 1.83 million homes and businesses. Canadian company tapped to handle coal ash left by Campbell power plant EGLE Director Phil Roos says the mission of the RRCA help support local communities move toward clean energy. 'These awards will enable communities to invest where they see needs in infrastructure, public safety and more, while accelerating the build-out of affordable green power to hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents,' Roos . The first round of grants was announced last October, followed by the second round in December and the third round in January. Construction begins on Muskegon Solar Energy Center In all, the RRCA will give away $30 million. Half of the grant is awarded when construction starts. The other half is granted when the project starts operating. Several other West Michigan projects have already received support from the RRCA, including the in Moorland Township. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EGLE awards $1.25 million in funding to Muskegon County solar farm
MOORLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — The Muskegon Solar Energy Center project will receive another $1.25 million in state funding thanks to a grant from the . The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy announced the third round of the RRCA last week, which will support nearly 1,000 megawatts of solar power and battery storage — enough to power nearly 1 million Michigan homes and businesses. Construction begins on Muskegon Solar Energy Center 'This round of awards will support the build-out of more clean, affordable power to hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents. We are committed to providing resources that improve our communities, lower energy costs, reduce emissions and protect our precious land, air and water resources — and this program does just that,' EGLE Director Phil Roos . Nearly $4.9 million will be awarded in the third round of funding, spread across six different projects. The first round was announced in October and the second in December. Construction started on the last July. The solar farm was as Consumers Energy's first large-scale solar project. The Muskegon Solar Energy Center will use approximately 1,900 acres of land in Moorland Township, in partnership with the , to capture enough solar energy to power approximately 40,000 homes. As scheduled, the 250-megawatt facility will be up and running by 2026. The Muskegon Solar Energy Center will be part of the utility's new infrastructure and its goal to generate 8,000 megawatts of solar energy annually by 2040. Canadian company tapped to handle coal ash left by Campbell power plant As part of the partnership, Consumers will own and operate the facility, while Muskegon County, Moorland Township and the MCRRC own the property and collect revenue from the lease. Consumers Energy is also working on two other solar facilities, one at the former Karn coal plant in Bay City and a 3,000-acre farm along the border between Barry and Calhoun counties. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
