Construction begins on 80-MW behind-the-meter solar project in Texas

Construction has started on the Gerdau Solar project, one of the largest behind-the-meter solar facilities in the United States.

The 700-acre site, directly adjacent to the Gerdau Midlothian Steel Mill in Midlothian, Texas, is comprised of more than 231,000 solar panels and Gerdau’s solar beam pilings. The Gerdau Solar project will provide power to the Midlothian steel mill

“Breaking ground at the Gerdau Solar project is an important milestone that expands our solar footprint and brings us one step closer to generating more clean power for Texas,” said Henry Yun, president of 174 Power Global. “We are pleased to partner with Gerdau and TotalEnergies as we start construction on one of the largest BTM solar facilities in the nation that will provide environmental and economic benefits to Midlothian.”

The project will create more than 200 construction jobs and provide an estimated $19 million in tax revenue over the next 30 years. Gerdau Solar is expected to reach commercial operation by the summer of 2023. TotalEnergies and 174 Power Global formed a joint venture to develop the solar project.

“TotalEnergies is proud to partner with 174 Power Global and Gerdau on one of the largest behind-the-meter solar plant in the U.S. This groundbreaking ceremony is a concrete proof of our common will to bring the energy transition to reality,” said Marc-Antoine Pignon, managing director of TotalEnergies Renewables USA. “This project represents our company’s commitment to continued expansion in the U.S. utility-scale solar market and supports our ambition to achieve multiple gigawatts of gross renewables production capacity in the U.S. by 2025.”

News item from 174 Power Global

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/09/construction-begins-on-behind-the-meter-solar-project-in-texas/