If you're looking for information about local solar companies, check out EnergySage'slist of solar companies in Louisiana, where you can check out information about each company and see real customerreviews. It could produce 50 megawatts of power. There was a problem saving your notification. Other developers would have two projects each in West Baton Rouge and Morehouse parishes and one each in Washington, Pointe Coupee, Lafourche, East Feliciana and Beauregard parishes. Two solar farms are near completion in St. James Parish by D.E. Both projects are expected to reach commercial operation in mid SWEPCO and sister company Public Service Company of Oklahoma also own and operate the 1,484 MW North Central Energy Facilities in north central Oklahoma. WebNotable Installations in Louisiana LA3 West Baton Rouge Solar Facility in West Baton Rouge was developed by DEPCOM and came online in 2020. An estimated 300 people will be needed during the peak period of construction. The Morehouse facility would open in 2023, while the St. Landry site is planned to be online by 2024.. Published: Nov. 9, 2021 at 3:01 PM PST. Next Era Energy, which has a significant renewable energy portfolio, particularly solar, dubbed the project as Beauregard Solar. The company has developed and financed more than 75 projects in California, North Carolina, Georgia, Colorado and Minnesota, with more than $750 million in projects totaling 1 gigawatt around the world. However, the process is not far enough along for companies to start submitting proposals for projects. Likewise, major corporations that are big users of electricity are looking to be more environmentally friendly by sourcing more of the power they use from the sun, wind or water. Solar power companies are proposing another seven large-scale solar-power projects valued at about $1 billion in rural areas of southeast Louisiana at a time when the fledgling industry has drawn objections from rural residents and the scrutiny of parish officials, state lawmakers and regulators. Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy. The retail giant has sought more access to renewable energy in the state, which has been a factor pushing the Cleco and Entergy moves forward. A $98 million solar farm in Morehouse Parish is looking for tax breaks for manufacturing renewable power, The Advocate reports. There is a seventh solar project on the books not yet seeking incentives. "I think one of the big challenges that we're seeing here is that solar power, wind power or renewable energy shouldn't just mean a higher cost (for ratepayers)," said Jessica Hendricks, state policy director for the Alliance for Affordable Energy, a New Orleans-based nonprofit organization. If all of them are built, the statewide total 1,908 megawatts is enough to power 190,800 homes, or a midsized city, based on estimates of 100 homes for each megawatt in a formulation used for Louisiana by the Solar Energy Industries Association.. This could power almost 21,000 homes. Solar projects are similar to any other real estate development with landowners, leases and even property flippers active in the market. This information came from an advance notification filed with Louisianas economic development office. Thibaut said he believes his parish has struck a balance between protecting agriculture and allowing some economic diversification in strategic locations with an industry that has a low impact on water, roads and local services, like fire and police. Percentage of State's Electricity from Solar: 62 (5 Manufacturers, 29 Installers/Developers, 28 Others), 2,816 MW over the next 5 years (ranks 15th). One, released in June 2020, is for 300 megawatts. Since Entergy announced it would be buying solar power, the demand for solar farms has increased. Louisianas first utility-scale solar farm, which is 50 megawatts, is in West Baton Rouge Parish and is being connected to the power grid under a 20-year power supply contract with Entergy, which has two open requests for proposals. It has also reached power agreements with the Iris Solar and Sunlight Road Solar complexes in Washington Parish, the Capitol Region Solar complex in West Baton Rouge and others. The project is expected to sit on roughly 2,400 acres of lower-value farmland off of Highway 14, with Aurora specifically choosing lower-value farmland so as not to occupy what could otherwise be lucrative land. Two solar farms are near completion in St. SWEPCO is seeking approval from regulators in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas to acquire the 200 MW Mooringsport solar project in Caddo Parish, La. Currently, about 60% of Entergy Louisiana's power comes from natural gas plants. The project includes 199 MW Sundance, 287 MW Maverick and 998 MW Traverse wind projects. Solar panel technology is not new but the cost to build solar farms has dropped significantly in recent years. Solar Market Insight unless otherwise noted:http://www.seia.org/research-resources/us-solar-market-insight, 2Percentage of State's Electricity from Solar: Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly:http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/#generation, 3Solar Jobs: The Solar Foundation, State Solar Jobs Census:http://www.thesolarfoundation.org/solar-jobs-census/states/, 4SEIA, National Solar Database:http://www.seia.org/research-resources/national-solar-database, 5SEIA, Major Solar Projects List:http://www.seia.org/research-resources/major-solar-projects-list, 7SEIA, Solar Means Business:https://www.seia.org/solar-means-business-report. The Rocking R Solar Project will be a 72.5-MWAC facility in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, which is anticipated to come online in late 2024. RECURRENT ENERGY:Outside of Bastrop in Morehouse Parish, a subsidiary of publicly traded Canadian Solar, which manufactures solar panels and constructs projects, is buildingBayou Galion Solar Project. The seven new proposed projects are: Kontiki Holdings LLC. Hesaid the number of commercial-scalesolar farms is greatly limited by the capacity of the electrical grid to handle them. Commissioner Foster Campbell, North Louisiana representative on the LPSC, said the Bayou Galion Solar Project will generate 98 megawatts of clean, renewable A second solar project of previously unforeseen capacity could be coming to Louisiana, as local officials in Calcasieu Parish on Lake Charles, midway between New If utilities modernize the way they select the resources they run each day, they can save carbon and reduce energy prices. Email Kristen Mosbrucker atkmosbrucker@theadvocate.com. For example, there are more than two dozen solar projects being pitched for Louisiana, according to a grid operator planning map. Opinions and comments published on this site may not be sanctioned by and do not necessarily represent the views of CleanTechnica, its owners, sponsors, affiliates, or subsidiaries. Shaw Renewable, also known as DESRI, said his company does not plan to appeal the St. James Parish Planning Commission's ruling but may seek to reapply once new rules are known. Each project would support a range of 160 to 300 construction jobs, developers said. Hold Ctrl or Cmd to select multiple editions. The farm is located just north of La. Shaw Renewable Investments, is seeking to expand its solar operation on vacant fields like this one around the existing solar operation. Canadian Solar subsidiary Recurrent Energy is leading the development, a 98 megawatt project on 1,000 acres for $98 million. Solar developers seem unfazed by the prospect of any hurdles and continue to be bullish on the future potential while rural parish economic development officials look forward to flipping agricultural land into industrial taxes.. Washington D.C.-area technology startup Helios Infrastructure is a joint venture between Sol Systems and Ohio giant Nationwide Insurance. Two solar farms controlled by New York-based D.E. "We need jobs. The subsidiary serves the Mississippi River corridor, including St. James, metro Baton Rouge and much of Louisiana outside New Orleans. Shaw's projects are in St. James Parish; its other two are in Washington Parish. Advertise with CleanTechnica to get your company in front of millions of monthly readers. It is planning a You have permission to edit this article. Louisiana approves 4 solar projects for Entergy, a small Walmart has been at the table for discussions through the Louisiana Public Service Commission about the potential for what is called a green tariff option that allows customers to tie their electricity purchases to renewable energy sources. Of the 16 solar power farms proposed in Louisiana, nearly half are controlled by an East Coast hedge fund with an appetite for solar and wind projects contained in a growing $15 billion renewable power portfolio. Lafayette Utilities System is seeking to diversify its power sources into renewable energy by purchasing up to 300 megawatts of solar power. Shaw's projects are Iris Solar, 50 megawatts for $75 million, and Sunlight Road Solar, 50 megawatts for $56 million, both near Franklinton. At least in his parish, early fears that solar panels would supplant farms across the parish don't appear to be realistic, Thibaut said. Entergy Corp.has emerged as an important source of solar power demand. Ecoplexus has done seven tax equity funds for financing 170 megawatts of solar projects worth $300 million since 2017. Copyright 2023 CleanTechnica. Along the Mississippi River, St. James' large tracts of agricultural land with roads, rail, pipeline and power have made the parish one of Louisiana's hot spots for industrial growth with the generally cheap natural gas prices of the past 10 to 15 years. Information on the projects was contained in documents seeking state economic incentives through the Industrial Tax Exemption Program for manufacturers, which could mean an 80% property tax abatement for up to 10 years on the projects if approved by the school boards, sheriffs and councils in those parishes. At least one company, San Francisco-based Ecoplexus, has emerged as a potential bidder for two of the three solar farms: a $308 million project in Pride in East Feliciana Parish and $240 million project in Bueche, north of Port Allen, in West Baton Rouge Parish. Note: This story has been updated to accurately reflect the spelling ofAndersen Windows and Doors., Solar power companies are proposing another seven large-scale solar-power projects valued at about $1 billion in rural areas of southeast Loui. The exception was issued for the Chalkley Solar Project, named for a historic local family who founded the company that is leasing the land to Aurora. By Davon Cole. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Shaw once served on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology for President Bill Clinton in the 1990s, according to the company's website. 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At least one company, San Francisco-based Ecoplexus, has emerged as a potential bidder for two of the three solar farms: a $308 million project in Pride in East But that's what Entergy Mississippi is doing with their green pricing programs and I think there's a push to do that in Louisiana as well, a premium on top of your existing bill for a percentage of renewable resources. D.E. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Bookmark, share and interact with the leading solar construction magazine today. "Studying land use and the impact industry may have on the surrounding area is reasonable, but in states across the country and in regions around the world, solar enterprises have developed cooperative relationships with neighboring communities that have made both parties profitable," retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honor said in a statement. How Do You Charge An Electric Car At Home? The owner of the farm, D.E. The Chalkley Solar Project has raised the ire of Calcasieu Parish who are worried about the projects size, appearance, and environmental impact. Like any other industrial project, it's possible that not all the projects will be constructed. The disruption of Russian gas to Europe has raised prices, encouraging developers and fueling the buildout along the Gulf. Thibodaux Solar is not yet registered in Louisiana but is in Delaware, incorporated in mid-June this year as a shell business. Wind got a plug recently during the opening session of a Climate Initiatives Task Force appointed by Gov. https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2021/10/06/hurricane-resistant-solar-and-energy-storage-microgrid-to-be-built-in-puerto-rico/#respond Is this craw-fish country? THIBODAUX SOLAR: The Bayou region's first utility solar array, Thibodaux Solar Project, also known as Sunbeam 2, is proposed in Lafourche Parish. Features of the Beauregard Solar project: Photovoltaic (PV) solar arrays capable of generating up to 200 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable energy. Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO), a subsidiary of American Electric Power (AEP), is adding three renewable energy projects totaling 999 MW, representing a $2.2 billion investment. The solar farm has over 100,000 individual solar panels and is off of Rosedale Rd. There are various owners from around the world involved in the projects, some of the next-generation of wildcatters leasing land on the speculation projects can be financed, developed and the electricity generated can be sold to the highest bidder. Lighthouse already has more than 400 megawatts of solar connected to the grid with another 616 megawatts of power under construction. 2023 www.thenewsstar.com. Bob Marshall: Could solar panels keep the lights on after a hurricane? Entergy noted that it is exploring using existing coal facilities for solar generation or solar generation with gas-powered backup under a directive from a Louisiana Public Service commissioner. By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment. The Iris Solar project in Washington Parish and St. James Solar project in St. James Parish represent the largest solar facility currently under construction in Louisiana Shaw solar farms, said he and many of his constituents accustomed to the parish's pastures and forests don't want to see too many more solar panels popping up even with the new ordinance in place. Several Louisiana utilities have shown interest in solar. State records show that previously undisclosed projects seeking economic incentives include three in the St. James Parish community of Vacherie and one each in Thibodaux, Bogalusa, Singer and Franklinton. Entergy Louisiana is purchasing the power generated by Capital Region Solar, a 50-megawatt solar plant constructed in West Baton Rouge Parish, under a 20-year Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Though St. James Solar sailed through the approval process in 2019, the new, larger additions have run into headwinds. Fact check:False claim that replacing cornfields with solar panels exacerbates climate change. It is planning a $145 million solar project in Beauregard Parish to start construction in 2023 and wrap up in 2024, supporting 250 construction jobs and yielding three permanent jobs. The Valley is typically viewed as San More wind energy and interregional transmission could have mitigated the impacts of rolling blackouts experienced during Decembers winter storm. EDP RENEWABLES:A U.S. subsidiary of Portuguese electric utilities giant Energias de Portugal is behind a $78.5 million solar project in Morehouse Parish near Bastrop. Our DESRI team is pleased to partner with SWEPCO to deliver cost-effective clean power to customers across Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas, said Hy Martin, chief development officer of DESRI. The Washington Parish solar farm is estimated to cost $75 million and in St. James $30 million, according to state economic incentives records.. DESRI will be the long-term owner and operator. So, it's a way that doesn't tax or put on burden on our infrastructure like some other forms of economic development might require," he said. pv magazine USA offers daily updates of the latest photovoltaics news. You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately. I am confident that it will provide reliable and inexpensive power to these Louisiana co-ops for years to come.. concerns from these residents generally regard the size of the project, its impact on the local environment, damage that project hardware could cause as debris in the event of a hurricane destroying it, and why their town was specifically chosen. The electricity produced for the Beauregard Solar project is being marketed to a variety of customers from industrial sites to utilities inside and outside Louisiana. You don't have to hire new teachers or first responders; it's quiet, passive, creates revenue and actually preserves the land. In response to the latest round of projects seeking property tax and Quality Jobs program incentives, the Louisiana Economic Development department said in a statement that LED works to increase and retain jobs across all of Louisiana, including rural communities. Solar energy is sustainable and renewable and contributes to progress toward lower greenhouse gas emissions. Near Vacherie would be St. James Solar, 20 megawatts for $30 million; St. James Solar II, for which further information was not available; St. James Solar III, 90 megawatts for $100 million, Vacherie Solar Energy Center LLC, 80 megawatts for $89 million; and St. Jacques Solar, 120 megawatts for $134 million. The farm, owned by the hedge fund D.E. Following state regulatory approvals, AEP will file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for approval to transfer the projects from Invenergy. The Sierra Club environmental group recently conducted a report that asserts it would be cheaper in the long-run to replace coal-fired power plants with utility-scale solar and wind projects in Louisiana. Galehead boasted one project with a "Southeastern U.S.-based landowner who owns approximately 400,000 acres across 500 distinct parcels spanning four states." Cleco,Lafayette Utilities System and a number of electrical cooperatives, includingDEMCO, which operates in the Baton Rouge area, have signed deals for commercial-scale solar power or announced plans to do so. Solar Energy Industries Association. The company has been led by Erik Stuebe since 2008 and has brokered deals with utilities such as Duke Energy, Pacific Gas and Electric and Georgia Power, among others. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. 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The St. James Solar farm in Vacherie collects the rays of the sun and turns them into power for the New Orleans area on Thursday, July 7, 2022. The solar farm has over 100,000 individual solar panels and is off of Rosedale Road. 21 and Parish Road 88. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. For example, a 20-megawatt solar farm in New Orleans added about $1.50 to the monthly bill of ratepayers there. To make that happen, the company expects in the future to stop using coal at Nelson 6 in Louisiana and at its Arkansas coal plants by 2030. Rocking R is expected to deliver significant community benefits, including the creation of construction jobs. The answers may surprise you, Rural Louisiana could see 7 new large-scale solar projects worth nearly $1 billion; see map, Entergy gave shifting rationales for New Orleans East plant at center of Ida response, Rooftop solar systems survived Hurricane Ida; in blackout, some powered neighbors, too. This investment is another key step in SWEPCOs efforts to secure renewable, affordable energy and achieve a more balanced fuel mix, says Nicholas K. Akins, AEPs chairman, president and CEO. "It would be difficult to make a prediction as of what percent of these projects, and or what other projects that are not listed here, move forward," said Greg Upton, associate professor at the Center for Energy Studies at LSU.. That was Eagle Solar Group, which hails from Arizona. A second solar project of previously unforeseen capacity could be coming to Louisiana, as local officials in Calcasieu Parish on Lake Charles, midway between New Orleans and Houston, Texas, have approved a zoning exception for developer Aurora Solar, a subsidiary of Avangrid Renewables. D.E. Vacherie Solar Energy Center is proposed at the intersection of La. A lifelong sugar cane farmer in his first stint at politics, St. James Parish President Pete Dufresne has been an ardent backer of new industrial projects as needed job producers and tax revenue generators for his rural, blue-collar parish between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Proposed $200 million projects in Thibodaux and Bogalusa would produce up to 200 megawatts of power each. Kontiki was registered in Delaware as of August 2020 on behalf of Next Era, which is the publicly traded umbrella company for utilities such as Florida Power and Light, records show. Select one or more editions for targeted, up to date information delivered straight to your inbox. Ecoplexus has deals with customers such as Fortune 500 companies Medtronic and Ecolab, in addition to privately held businesses like Andersen Windows and Doors. D.E. Please be mindful of our community standards. As in St. James, the solar farms in Washington Parish are expected to improve local tax collections. Overall, D.E. This is a part of the West Baton Rouge Solar Farm. WebTo date, we operate solar projects in 29 states, and the Beauregard Solar Project will be among the first solar projects in Louisiana. Lake Charles, LA (KPLC) - In a press release Tuesday, Entergy Louisiana announced it will be purchasing 475 megawatts of additional solar power from four solar facilities across the state.