Entergy in Arkansas, Amper and Elawan in Texas

The latest project uses bifacial solar panels to maximize electricity production. It is as powerful as the company’s other two largest projects in the state, the Chico Solar project and the Searcy Solar farm.

Entergy expects to bring on board an additional 430 MW of solar capacity in the state before the end of the year, as well as an additional 400 MW of solar capacity in 2025 as the company looks to expand its presence in Arkansas. It acquired the Walnut Bend project from developer Invenergy, which led development, engineering and construction on the project.

“Our investments in these generating assets play a critical role in keeping our customers’ rates below the regional and national averages, allowing us to provide our customers across the state with reliable, affordable and sustainable service,” said Laura Landreaux, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas.

Ammer Power to Sell Power from Upcoming Texas Project

In Texas, Ammer Power has signed a PPA to purchase all of the electricity to be generated by the project in the state, which is expected to reach commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2025. The company noted that it will “facilitate the sale of solar power” to users in Texas through the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) network, which accounts for 90% of Texas’ power customers.

While the company did not provide details, including the project developer or its recipient, beyond identifying them as “commercial and industrial customers and government organizations,” the news will be a positive development for the Texas power grid, which saw record solar power growth earlier this year but has struggled with grid connection and reliability issues in recent years.

Ammper Power is the U.S. subsidiary of Mexican utility Ammper Energia, which has invested in its country’s electricity generation capacity and has in recent years sought to expand its presence into other North American markets.

“This transaction illustrates Ammper’s commitment to the ERCOT market and exemplifies its dedication to driving the energy transition and enabling customers to benefit from sustainable solutions,” said John Werner, vice president of business development at Ammper. “By offering renewable energy options like solar, we are not only able to support our customers’ goals, but also support a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for Texas and beyond.”

Elawan signs PPA to supply electricity to Google

Spanish developer Elawan Energy has signed a PPA with Google to supply electricity from a “late-stage development” solar project in Texas. The company currently operates a 1.8 GW renewable energy portfolio, with an additional 8 GW in the pipeline, and plans to launch its Texas facility in 2026.

The transaction was arranged through LevelTen Energy’s Accelerated Process (LEAP), a program LevelTen Energy implemented last year to reduce delays in signing renewable energy PPAs. The company notes that using its program, which includes standardized PPA formats “reflecting the realities of current market conditions,” can reduce the time it takes to sign a PPA by up to 80%.

The development of this program could be particularly significant for the solar sector, given the growing interest in corporate PPAs, but a generation of companies new to the solar industry are having to learn the intricacies of power offtake agreements in short periods of time. Earlier this year, Jason Kaminsky, CEO of kWh Analytics, said: PV Tech Premium that “(creating) the right framework” is a key priority for the solar and PPA industry, and projects like LEAP can be an important means of achieving this goal.

The breadth and depth of solar PPAs is evident in the number of deals announced over the summer, with both Adani and Microsoft signing significant deals in recent months.