Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure’s Post

✅ Starting with Indiana's largest solar installation, the Mammoth North Solar, this massive 400 MW project is nearing completion. ✅ Not only a technical feat, this venture is generating significant socio-economic benefits for local communities and businesses. ✅ With only 20% of the 4,500 acre land used for the solar array, this project is a masterclass in efficiency, promoting sustainability without hindering environmental aesthetics. Taking place in the heart of Starke County in Indiana, the near-completion of the Mammoth North solar array is a massive boost for the solar power industry. With a colossal capacity of 400 MW, it's part of an even larger scheme to produce 1.3 GW of solar power by Doral Renewables. The energy output from this solar array can power a whopping 75,000 homes annually! It's not just a technical spectacle either; it's benefiting local communities and is hailed as the largest operational solar installation in Indiana. Importantly, the venture demonstrates an harmonious blend of renewable energy and traditional farming with over 1,500 sheep grazing around the solar array, showcasing agrivoltaics at its finest. Utilizing just 20% of the 4,500 acre site for the array, it's an example of the efficient use of land. Mammoth North caters to the socio-economic aspects too, using local labor and American-made materials. "For more information on selling solar virtually across the USA visit www.tstpros.com".

Delighted that Ramboll was able to support this solar and battery energy storage (BESS) development in West Norfolk. Well done to the whole team Downing, JLL and everyone else that worked on this. In an all too familiar story, local planning officers recommended approval 🤝... but the scheme was refused by elected members on the grounds that the proposal would have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the Fenland Landscape and result in the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land (BMVAL) 👎 . Read on for key findings from the successful appeal 🎯 : 🌞 The inspector agreed that our design and mitigation (including sensitive use of native hedgerows, retaining field and drainage patterns, restoring orchards) successfully addressed the landscape character and visual impacts of the solar farm; 🌱 The Inspector found that the impact of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area would be very low and localised, and would reduce over time as the mitigation strategy is implemented and matures; 💡 The explanation of site selection (based primarily on the availability of point of connection to the electricity grid, and considerations such as, agricultural land classification, visual and ecological sensitivity) was noted to be "logical...pragmatic and proportionate" and met the threshold of providing "compelling evidence" to justify the use of BMVAL; 🚜 On BMVAL, the inspector found that there would be no significant loss of agricultural land - the proposal demonstrated that the change in land-use would 1) temporary and reversible, and 2) pastoral farming and solar farming combined would be more efficient (and better for biodiversity) than the current arable farming, with the solar farm generating more than 10x the energy produced by the current crop rotation, which goes into the anaerobic digestion supply chain! So, despite the challenges of local politics and less than coherent energy policy in England, solar farms can benefit from national support for renewable energy generation where we are able to show careful consideration of site selection, good design and well thought out mitigation and enhancement measures. ps. too many emojis? pps. my drafting was assisted by microsoft copilot so it took me no time at all to put this together #thepartnerforsustainablechange #letsclosethegap #renewableenergy #netzerotransition #copilotformicrosoft365

✅ Starting with Indiana's largest solar installation, the Mammoth North Solar, this massive 400 MW project is nearing completion. ✅ Not only a technical feat, this venture is generating significant socio-economic benefits for local communities and businesses. ✅ With only 20% of the 4,500 acre land used for the solar array, this project is a masterclass in efficiency, promoting sustainability without hindering environmental aesthetics. Taking place in the heart of Starke County in Indiana, the near-completion of the Mammoth North solar array is a massive boost for the solar power industry. With a colossal capacity of 400 MW, it's part of an even larger scheme to produce 1.3 GW of solar power by Doral Renewables. The energy output from this solar array can power a whopping 75,000 homes annually! It's not just a technical spectacle either; it's benefiting local communities and is hailed as the largest operational solar installation in Indiana. Importantly, the venture demonstrates an harmonious blend of renewable energy and traditional farming with over 1,500 sheep grazing around the solar array, showcasing agrivoltaics at its finest. Utilizing just 20% of the 4,500 acre site for the array, it's an example of the efficient use of land. Mammoth North caters to the socio-economic aspects too, using local labor and American-made materials. "For more information on selling solar virtually across the USA visit www.tstpros.com".

PROJECT UPDATE: Maison Dieu Solar Farm, NSW The exhibition period for Terrain Solar’s Maison Dieu Solar Farm, to be located on a site approximately 10km north-west of Singleton within the Hunter-Central Coast REZ, has been opened by the NSW state planning authority. The project involves the construction, operation and decommissioning of a large-scale solar farm with an integrated Battery Energy Storage System, a high-voltage electricity substation, connection to the national electricity grid through the existing Ausgrid Substation, and associated infrastructure. After multiple refinements based on community and stakeholder feedback, as well as environmental and social studies, the project was reduced in capacity from an initially planned 150 MW to 60 MW AC from approximately 110,000 solar panels. The BESS will have storage capacity of 40 MW / 80 MWh. The project area includes parts of five lots, making a total of 203 hectares of land that has historically been used for agricultural production, containing an actual disturbance footprint of around 90 ha. The estimated total investment value of the project is $127mil, and it’s expected up to 150 full time jobs will be supported during the 18-month construction phase and five full time jobs during the anticipated 30 years of operation. If all approvals are gained, Maison Dieu Solar Farm will be constructed and operated by RATCH Australia. In a similar arrangement first announced in October 2022, RATCH Australia will build, own, and maintain the Marulan Solar Farm and BESS in NSW which was developed by Terrain Solar until handover last month. Also in August, AGL Energy entered into a binding agreement to acquire Terrain Solar and BESS developer Firm Power for a total consideration of approximately $250 million. [More large-scale Aus/NZ renewable energy news is available at https://lnkd.in/gGAE9SMk]

✔️ Innovative truss technology developed by Ojjo has the potential to change solar arrays. ☀️ ✔️ Corporation Nextracker has recently acquired Ojjo for $119 million, intending to merge their systems for optimized results. 🔄 ✔️ Ojjo's patented foundation is compatible with other solar trackers and will continue to be accessible. 🌎 *Throughout history, new technologically revolutionary ideas have often reshaped entire industries. Today, something similar is happening in the solar sector, courtesy of the California-based renewable energy company Ojjo. 👀💡🔆* Ojjo developed a unique truss system that uses significantly less structure than conventional foundations, transforming how people perceive solar arrays for homes. These foundations combine strength and flexibility, a pairing that seldom occurs in engineering marvels. Assistance for installations comes from the company's proprietary automated Truss Driver machine. 🏗️👨🔧 Ojjo's foundation technology centers around a hollow Screw Anchor, built with a crimp collar at the top and a hollow tip at the bottom. Their prevalence on a global scale is confirmed by the delivery of over 2 GW truss foundations so far, reflecting the system's durability and scope for application. 🌍✔️ The news making rounds in the solar sector involves Ojjo's recent acquisition by Nextracker, a global solar tracker, and software solutions provider. This strategic acquisition is expected to merge the two companies' expertise and offer developers an all-inclusive, versatile solution for various soil conditions. 💡💥 For more information on selling solar virtually across the USA visit www.tstpros.com.

Renewable energy developer Downing Renewable Developments (DRD) has unveiled plans to develop a 750MW solar and co-located storage project in Lincolnshire. The Meridian Solar Farm, if approved, will be located on land to the south of Spalding and be classified as a nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP) due to having a generation capacity that exceeds 50MW. As such, a development consent order (DCO) must be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate and be decided by the secretary of state for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho. This will be sent when the proposals are fully completed. A statement made by the company confirmed that early design works are currently being developed ahead of public consultation, with biodiversity opportunities to be included. It is hoped that the solar farm will be able to deliver a net gain of at least 10%. Glasgow-headquartered DRD will also undertake an environmental impact assessment, which will be informed via a scoping opinion from the secretary of state. Public consultations are planned to begin in Spring 2024.

✔️ Innovative truss technology developed by Ojjo has the potential to change solar arrays. ☀️ ✔️ Corporation Nextracker has recently acquired Ojjo for $119 million, intending to merge their systems for optimized results. 🔄 ✔️ Ojjo's patented foundation is compatible with other solar trackers and will continue to be accessible. 🌎 *Throughout history, new technologically revolutionary ideas have often reshaped entire industries. Today, something similar is happening in the solar sector, courtesy of the California-based renewable energy company Ojjo. 👀💡🔆* Ojjo developed a unique truss system that uses significantly less structure than conventional foundations, transforming how people perceive solar arrays for homes. These foundations combine strength and flexibility, a pairing that seldom occurs in engineering marvels. Assistance for installations comes from the company's proprietary automated Truss Driver machine. 🏗️👨🔧 Ojjo's foundation technology centers around a hollow Screw Anchor, built with a crimp collar at the top and a hollow tip at the bottom. Their prevalence on a global scale is confirmed by the delivery of over 2 GW truss foundations so far, reflecting the system's durability and scope for application. 🌍✔️ The news making rounds in the solar sector involves Ojjo's recent acquisition by Nextracker, a global solar tracker, and software solutions provider. This strategic acquisition is expected to merge the two companies' expertise and offer developers an all-inclusive, versatile solution for various soil conditions. 💡💥 For more information on selling solar virtually across the USA visit www.tstpros.com.

Ameresco Completes 27-Megawatt Solar Project in DePue, Illinois Village Ameresco, Inc. has completed the largest solar farm in Bureau County, Illinois, producing 26.3 MW of green energy. Expected to offset 25,947 metric tons of CO2 annually. The project will contribute to Illinois’ 25% renewable energy goal by 2025. The development of this brownfield project started in 2019. Ameresco is the developer, builder, and owner, bringing emission-free energy to DePue and supporting the community with maintenance services. The solar farm benefits the Village with energy cost savings, permits fees, and increased property tax revenue for Bureau County. Comprising 65,832 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels strategically mounted on above-ground ballast blocks, the […] Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/dUfTPYmy #solarenergy #alternativeenergy #solarpv #pvsolar #photovoltaic #cleanenergy #cleantech #climatechange #middleeast #africa #india #asiapacific #asia #ameresco #illinois #northamerica #renewableenergy #renewableenergy #solarenergy #unitedstates

Zelestra, a renewable energy company, started construction on a solar farm in Jasper County. The project is part of an agreement with Meta, which was signed earlier this year, to purchase 100% of the power generated at the site. “We are proud to offer global decarbonization solutions that support local carbon-free power generation,” said Leo Moreno, Zelestra’s CEO, in a press release [https://lnkd.in/d2_DbKek]. “This project not only represents a significant step forward for Zelestra, but also reinforces our commitment to contribute to the sustainable development of the communities where we operate and provide our customers with innovative technological solutions.” Jasper County Solar will have a capacity of 60 megawatts of alternating current or 79 megawatts of direct current. Gov. Eric Holcomb in January announced the deal with Meta Platforms for a new $800 million 700,000-square-foot data center [https://lnkd.in/g76XayA8] in Jeffersonville. The center is expected to be complete in 2026. Meta officials have said they want the data center to be 100% powered by renewable energy. “This project is a result of our partnership with Zelestra – which significantly contributes to Meta’s goals of matching our data centers’ electricity use with 100% renewable energy,” according to the Jeffersonville Data Center Facebook page [https://lnkd.in/g4f89MVq]. Zelestra, which has headquarters in Spain, has projects in 13 countries and employs 953 professionals worldwide. #meta #solarfarm #zelestra #businessnews #energy/environment

Great article on how new racking technology is being implemented at scale to preserve landscape, reduce costs, and time of construction. Sites that were previously deemed unsuitable for solar could be considered feasible with these types of advancements in PV technology! #renewableenergy #solar #development