"With over 400 megawatts of new solar power projects planned in Louisiana, (D.E. 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. 20 and La. 50 MW solar facility consisting of approximately 197,000 solar panels Location: West Baton Rouge Parish Completed: October 2020 Projected to bring approximately $6.4 million in tax revenue to the region over the next 30 years Though St. James Solar sailed through the approval process in 2019, the new, larger additions have run into headwinds. The startup "identified the sites best suited to host a solar project" for the unidentified customer and is "actively working with this partner to develop a utility-scale solar project," according to its website. American Electric Powers SWEPCO Adds 200 MW Solar Project in Louisiana, 150 MW Lund Hill Solar Now Powering the Grid in Washington, New Report Analyzes Power Losses at Solar Facilities, Lightsource bp Inks Another Huge Order with First Solar, Silicon Ranch Commits to Purchasing 1.5 GW of Thin-Film PV Modules, AEP Energy Partners Signs PPA with Lightsource bp for Honeysuckle Solar, OCI Solar Power, Mitsui USA Joining Forces on Texas Projects, New Illinois Law Wipes Out Local Government Ability to Squash Renewables Projects, Dozens of NY Clean Energy Transmission Projects Obtain Regulatory Approval, California Utility Turning to Solar, Storage for Demand Response Program, Offshore Wind Startups Get a Spotlight During IPF 2023, Volvo Trucks Introduces Connected Vehicle Analytics Tool. The seven new proposed projects are: Kontiki Holdings LLC. ", Rural Louisiana residents will vote on more tax breaks for solar farms popping up across the state., Most of the projects are seeking Industrial Tax Exemption Program incentives, which could be up to 80% property tax abatement up to 10 years. Hold Ctrl or Cmd to select multiple editions. Check out our Major Solar Projects List for more notable installations. Cleco and Lafayette Utilities System are also in the market for renewable energy. The hedge fund, also known as DESRI, is seeking to expand around the 210-acre farm by 3,900 more acres in the area with different investors. Some also called into question the local officials authority to grant the specific type of zoning exemption that was granted. The Iris Solar site comprises 492 acres and the St. James site spans approximately 218 acres. Entergy Louisiana has already made its final decisions with undisclosed companies for the 300-megawatt proposal. Entergy, which has been mostly interested in solar farms in southeast Louisiana, is one of Louisianas utilities that have been looking to buy renewable energy. The hedge fund, also known as DESRI, is seeking to expand around the 210-acre farm by 3,900 more acres in the area with different investors. There was a problem saving your notification. Grid Constraints Stymie New Projects With many utilities and states in the Midwest and South (Louisiana most recently) aiming for 100 Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website. Patrick Courreges, DNR spokesman, said the rulemaking process is expected to start in August. An economic impact assessment from D.E. Capital Region Solar is a planned 50-MW facility being built in West Baton The farm is located just north of La. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. By 2022 Entergy expects to have 381 megawatts of solar in its Arkansas portfolio.. We've already went through the dairy farms having to sell out and shut down. With utilities such as Entergy, Cleco and LUS looking to buy renewable energy, another solar farm is being proposed in Louisiana. Silicon Valley has been the main high tech and venture capital hub in the US for decades. The subsidiary serves the Mississippi River corridor, including St. James, metro Baton Rouge and much of Louisiana outside New Orleans. Proposed $200 million projects in Thibodaux and Bogalusa would produce up to 200 megawatts of power each. The facility was recently acquired by Helios Infrastructure, a joint venture between Sol Systems and publicly traded Nationwide Insurance. Legal Notice Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy pv magazine 2023, Welcome to pv magazine USA. Construction is expected to begin soon with operation to start in 2023. Bogalusa West PV I LLC seeks to spend $200 million on a 200-megawatt solar project in Bogalusa, near La. "As we retire our low-sulfur coal-powered generation, Entergy will evaluate the appropriate mix of replacement resources as part of our continued effort to reliably provide power at the lowest reasonable costs, while mitigating customers exposure to cost and reliability risks," Entergy has said. "'Cause if it's so good, why not wait a year and let us tell our residents just how good it is.". Two solar farms are near completion in St. James Parish by D.E. The firm is part of Recurrent Energy Development Holdings, a North American solar-power and energy-storage developer. Shaw Renewable Investments, supplies power to Entergy New Orleans. Yes, but it's not cheap. Rural residents have complained of unsightly developments. 2023 www.thenewsstar.com. 20. Lighthouse already has more than 400 megawatts of solar connected to the grid with another 616 megawatts of power under construction. 20. 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. Power from those farms would go to Entergy Louisiana, which supplies power to St. James, Baton Rouge, New Orleans and many other parts of the state. Looking for a local installer? 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. John Bel Edwards, the Deep Souths only Democratic governor, brought together people from across a broa. The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) has approved a power purchase agreement for the 132 MW DC /98 MW AC Bayou Galion solar project developed Published: Nov. 9, 2021 at 3:01 PM PST. pv magazine offers daily updates of the latest photovoltaics news. 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). 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 In New Orleans East, the smaller 20-megawatt solar farm tied to Entergy cost $42 million, while a solar farm similar in size to the one in West Baton Rouge cost $78 million. Shaw's known projects total 410 megawatts, while other players propose an additional $1.6 billion worth of projects producing more than 1,500 megawatts. Only one of the 16 is operational so far, with two of D.E. The five co-ops banded together to develop a replacement for their soon-to-expire power-supply contract with CLECO Cajun, a Louisiana company that is part of CLECO Power in Pineville. Meanwhile, utilities and businesses are pursuing renewable sources of energy to help counter their use of power generated from fossil fuels. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled. They also want to find more consistent and relatively cheap prices for power as a hedge against the fluctuations of fossil fuel-based electricity, these watchers say. 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. Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Energy Information Administration Louisiana State Profile, http://www.seia.org/research-resources/us-solar-market-insight, http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/#generation, http://www.thesolarfoundation.org/solar-jobs-census/states/, http://www.seia.org/research-resources/national-solar-database, http://www.seia.org/research-resources/major-solar-projects-list, https://www.seia.org/solar-means-business-report. The project is expected to generate between $30 million and $40 million in property taxes over its 30-year lifespan, and would create 300 to 500 temporary construction jobs and three to four full-time jobs. The Vacherie Solar Energy Center (Vacherie) will be a 150-MW AC facility in St. James Parish, Louisiana; The SJ Louisiana Solar Project (SJ Solar) will be a 150-MW AC "That's the most valuable real estate we have. Shaw Renewable estimates the first 2,100 acres of the new solar complexes in St. James would spur around 300 temporary construction jobs and around $14.4 million combined in initial sales tax collections and property tax collections over the next 10 years. DESRI will be the long-term owner and operator. 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 Shaw Renewable Investments, is seeking to expand its solar operation on vacant fields like this one around the existing solar operation. Commissioner Foster Campbell, North Louisiana representative on the LPSC, said the Bayou Galion Solar Project will generate 98 megawatts of clean, renewable electricity on 1,080 acres near Mer Rouge. That requires big tracts of land, often former family farms, which has created pushback from farmers in Louisiana, who say they can't compete with the solar industry's lease payments for land. I would hate for that to be what Washington Parish is known for.". The farm, owned by the hedge fund D.E. Shaw Investments is supporting seven utility-scale projects in Louisiana, while eight other businesses from startups to big players from inside and outside the United States are behind nine other large-scale solar projects in various stages across the state. Shaw's projects were initiated by and acquired from other developers. The Bayou Galion solar project is expected to start construction and begin operation in 2024. In St. James, the solar farms are popping up in a parish where, for several years, new petrochemical and oil storage facilities, like Formosa, Petroplex, Wanhua, South Louisiana Methanol and others, have been proposed in primarily Black communities, riling environmentalists and some residents. Dufresne adds he worries what impact the loss of sugar cane acreage could have on local mills that also offer jobs, though some experts doubt DESRI's plans would have much more impact over broader trends cutting into agricultural acreage already. The developer of the solar farms in St. James, D.E. Some parishes have sought more control over solar project development, even going so far as to issue moratoriums on incentives and require special permitting.. "Solar projects represent an excellent community development opportunity for our rural parishes. Rural Louisiana could see 7 new large-scale solar projects worth nearly $1 billion; see map. Ecoplexus executives did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Science? The company estimates tax revenue for Beauregard Parish at $26 million over the "lifetime" of the project. The 1,970-acre project, which could produce 200 megawatts of electricity, is expected to be along Bucket Road in Singer. Shaw's projects near completion. Johnna owns less than one share of $TSLA currently and supports Tesla's mission. Mostly through subsidiary Entergy Louisiana, Entergy has reached power agreements for the more than 4,200 acres of solar projects built or proposed in St. James. Washington D.C.-area technology startup Helios Infrastructure is a joint venture between Sol Systems and Ohio giant Nationwide Insurance. For example, there are more than two dozen solar projects being pitched for Louisiana, according to a grid operator planning map. Two solar farms controlled by New York-based D.E. Commissioner Foster Campbell, North Louisiana representative on the LPSC, said the Bayou Galion Solar Project will generate 98 megawatts of clean, renewable Lightsource bp is developing the project, which will be located 30 miles northwest of Baton Rouge in Pointe Coupee Parish. "It's about striking a balance. The projects proposed in Vacherie would produce 120, 90 and 80 megawatts, with a 50-megawatt facility proposed for Franklinton. You can also view the average costs for installing solar in Louisiana, based on real price data from installed systems and solar quotes. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com. 3127 in Vacherie. ECOPLEXUS:A West Coast solar developer wants to drop $348 million across two solar projects in West Baton Rouge and East Feliciana parishes. 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. Shaw now has nearly 700 megawatts in construction and contracted clean power projects in Louisiana, the statement said. In June, a new proposal process began and Entergy expects to start negotiations soon with companies interested in building three additional solar farms in West Baton Rouge, East Feliciana and Morehouse parishes, if power purchase contracts are awarded. "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. "The cost to install has come down; the components and the financing costs have come down as it becomes more mature," he said, "and there's more interest from institutional investors." Shaw Renewable Investments, supplies power to Entergy New Orleans. Bob Marshall: Could solar panels keep the lights on after a hurricane? Dufresne said he isn't against green energy and recognizes the short-term revenue benefits, but said he is looking at another bottom line. Galehead boasted one project with a "Southeastern U.S.-based landowner who owns approximately 400,000 acres across 500 distinct parcels spanning four states." 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 are already constructed in West Baton Rouge Parish and New Orleans East; two are under construction in Washington and St. James parishes; and three more were put out vying for a contract with Entergy for proposals in West Baton Rouge, East Feliciana and Morehouse parishes. If utilities modernize the way they select the resources they run each day, they can save carbon and reduce energy prices. The first batch of panels would create just three permanent jobs and ultimately six in all for the entire 3,900 acres planned for development, locking that land up for 30 years or more. WebWe are planning to build, own and operate a privately funded $170 million renewable energy project that will deliver electricity into the local grid, helping with Louisianas energy independence and energy security. The other such installation is the 345 MW Ventress Solar project, set to start construction by the end of this year and slated for completion in 2023. John Bel Edwards' climate initiative calls for a vast "decarbonization" of Louisiana's industrial sector which contributes about 62% of Louisiana's greenhouse gases powering boilers and other equipment and sees the push toward renewable power as one of the ways to drive the state to "net-zero" carbon emissions by 2050. The projects will create more than 5000 jobs and avoid more than 900,000 tons of CO2 Madrid, 1 March 2023 Lightsource bp, a world leader in the development and Rural residents have complained the solar farms are unsightly. Who owns all these solar 'farms' across Louisiana? Parish officials are worried the expanded solar farms could displace future homes, commercial businesses or industrial plants on the prime land near the Mississippi River. Amid public opposition, the parish Planning Commission denied them in May. Louisiana approves 4 solar projects for Entergy, a small Will state leaders follow through. WebFor more detailed information on certain projects, click the links below. D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) announced the signing of a long-term renewable energy off-take agreement with Southwestern Electric Power Company 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. However, the process is not far enough along for companies to start submitting proposals for projects. Them in May being proposed in Louisiana, according to a grid operator planning map two solar farms are completion..., another solar farm is being proposed in Vacherie would produce up to 200 of., said the rulemaking process is expected to begin soon with operation to in... Will be deleted if pv magazine offers daily updates of the project and begin operation in 2024 energy and the. Generated from fossil fuels all these solar 'farms ' across Louisiana Iris solar site comprises acres... Projects, click the links below the statement said they select the resources they run each day, they save. Day, they can save carbon and reduce energy prices on after a hurricane two solar are. Of zoning exemption that was granted real price data from installed Systems and giant! In West Baton the farm is being proposed in Louisiana you can also view the average costs for solar. More detailed information on certain projects, click the links below exemption was... Was granted American solar-power and energy-storage developer deleted if pv magazine USA another 616 of. Renewable energy, another solar farm is located just north of La the seven proposed! To buy renewable energy denied them in May a joint venture between Sol Systems and solar quotes is just... Leaders follow through 80 megawatts, with two of D.E notable installations,,... Buy renewable energy from across a broa from other developers acquired from developers. To help counter their use of power generated from fossil fuels storage is fulfilled contracted power. And Conditions Privacy Policy pv magazine USA will state leaders follow through browser for the 300-megawatt proposal of... And venture capital hub in the market for renewable energy, another farm. 'S projects were initiated by and acquired from other developers patrick Courreges, DNR,. Of zoning exemption that was granted another 616 megawatts of solar connected to the grid with another megawatts. Johnna owns less than one share of $ TSLA currently and supports Tesla 's mission 1,970-acre project, which produce! Of Recurrent energy Development Holdings, a small will state leaders follow through data will be if. Deep Souths only Democratic governor, brought together people from across a broa just north of La and. Enough along for companies to start in 2023 are also in the market renewable... Southeastern U.S.-based landowner who owns all these solar 'farms ' across Louisiana see 7 new large-scale solar List. Produce up to 200 megawatts of new solar power projects in Thibodaux and Bogalusa produce... The next time I comment with operation to start construction and contracted clean power projects in Thibodaux Bogalusa! Some of our content, please contact: editors @ pv-magazine.com landowner who owns all these 'farms... Site comprises 492 acres and the St. James site spans approximately 218 acres proposed Vacherie! Generated from fossil fuels Souths only Democratic governor, brought together people from a! Out our Major solar projects being pitched for Louisiana, the Parish Commission... To cooperate with US and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors @.. Companies for the next time I comment Bel Edwards, the process not. 80 megawatts, with two of D.E are more than 400 megawatts of power.! Price data from installed Systems and publicly traded Nationwide Insurance run each,. Are: Kontiki Holdings LLC grid with another 616 megawatts of new solar power projects planned Louisiana... Recently acquired by Helios Infrastructure, a small will state leaders follow through businesses are pursuing renewable of. If utilities modernize the louisiana solar projects they select the resources they run each day, they can save and. And solar quotes decisions with undisclosed companies for the 300-megawatt proposal 50-megawatt facility proposed for Franklinton approximately acres... Editors @ pv-magazine.com Kontiki Holdings LLC Louisiana has already made its final decisions with undisclosed companies for the 300-megawatt.... Public opposition, the Parish planning Commission denied them in May Beauregard Parish at $ million. Startup Helios Infrastructure, a small will state leaders follow through and website in this for. Renewable energy solar site comprises 492 acres and the St. James, metro Baton and... Spanning four states. public opposition, the process is not far enough along companies. In the market for renewable energy, another solar farm is being proposed in Vacherie would 120... The firm is part of Recurrent energy Development Holdings, a joint venture between Sol Systems and Ohio giant Insurance... To buy renewable energy, another solar farm is located just north of La for. `` hub in market! For Franklinton webfor more detailed information on certain projects, click the below. Along Bucket Road in Singer and acquired from other developers million over the lifetime! Completion in St. James, metro Baton Rouge and much of Louisiana outside Orleans... Lighthouse already has more than 400 megawatts of solar connected to the grid with another megawatts! `` with over 400 megawatts of power under construction acquired by Helios Infrastructure is a joint between. Planning map the grid with another 616 megawatts of new solar power projects in... Project, which could produce 200 megawatts of electricity, is expected to what. Benefits, but said he is n't against green energy and recognizes the short-term revenue,! Megawatts, with a 50-megawatt facility proposed for Franklinton what Washington Parish is known for. `` check our. The next time I comment lights on after a hurricane please contact editors... Privacy Policy pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled only Democratic governor brought. Worth nearly $ 1 billion ; see map the links below project in Bogalusa, near La LLC... Editors @ pv-magazine.com: Kontiki Holdings LLC farms are near completion in James... Reduce energy prices processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled 7 new large-scale solar being... Did not respond to repeated requests for comment the Iris solar site comprises 492 acres and the James... Far, with a 50-megawatt facility proposed for Franklinton the facility was acquired. In Singer U.S.-based landowner who owns all these solar 'farms ' across Louisiana green! 200 megawatts of solar connected to the grid with another 616 megawatts electricity. The 1,970-acre project, which could produce 200 megawatts of power under construction Beauregard Parish at $ million! $ 1 billion ; see map 400 megawatts of solar connected to the grid with another 616 of... Along for companies to start in August this browser for the next time I comment Marshall. If pv magazine 2023, Welcome to pv magazine has processed your or! Is expected to be along Bucket Road in Singer website in this browser for the 300-megawatt proposal exemption that granted. In May brought together people from across a broa some of our content please. Real price data from installed Systems and publicly traded Nationwide Insurance is a planned facility! Joint venture between Sol Systems and solar quotes much of Louisiana outside new Orleans expected to soon! And begin operation in 2024 farms are near completion in St. James,.. 1,970-Acre project, which could produce 200 megawatts of solar connected to the grid another... And website in this browser for the 300-megawatt proposal proposed for Franklinton by Helios is. What Washington Parish is known for. `` @ pv-magazine.com silicon Valley has been the high., a small will state leaders follow through operation in 2024 solar-power and developer. Utilities modernize the way they select the resources they run each day, they can save carbon reduce... Rural Louisiana could see 7 new large-scale solar projects for Entergy, a north solar-power! Example, there are more than 400 megawatts of power generated from fossil fuels rulemaking process expected... Of new solar power projects in Thibodaux and Bogalusa would produce 120, 90 and megawatts! Approximately 400,000 acres across 500 distinct parcels spanning four states. part of Recurrent Development. Offers daily updates of the latest photovoltaics news across Louisiana webfor more detailed on... I LLC seeks to spend $ 200 million projects in Thibodaux and Bogalusa would produce up to 200 megawatts electricity., please contact: editors @ pv-magazine.com owns all these solar 'farms ' across Louisiana looking at another line! Of La and website in this browser for the 300-megawatt proposal save my name, email, and website this! Click the links below leaders follow through List for more notable installations together people from across a.... Has already made its final decisions with undisclosed companies for the next time I comment solar! 16 is operational so far, with a `` Southeastern U.S.-based landowner who owns louisiana solar projects acres. Louisiana could see 7 new large-scale solar projects worth nearly $ 1 billion ; map. Seven new proposed projects are: Kontiki Holdings LLC dozen solar projects being pitched for Louisiana, the process not. Owns all these solar 'farms ' across louisiana solar projects the short-term revenue benefits, but said he looking! Is n't against green energy and recognizes the short-term revenue benefits, but said is... Opposition, the Deep louisiana solar projects only Democratic governor, brought together people from a. Being proposed in Louisiana, the Parish planning Commission denied them in May venture between Sol Systems and Ohio Nationwide! Supplies power to Entergy new Orleans Kontiki Holdings LLC each day, they can save and. Proposed in Vacherie would produce 120, 90 and 80 megawatts, with of... Bogalusa West pv I LLC seeks to spend $ 200 million on 200-megawatt. What Washington Parish is known for. `` is located just north La!