This week on Projects Weekly, Siemens is showing off the new solar, storage, and energy management microgrid at its Wendell, North Carolina headquarters. Slightly to the south, Cobb EMC has cut the ribbon on its SolarShare community solar farm in Georgia, and Duke Energy Florida has energized its latest project near the eastern reaches of Tallahassee. In the Midwest, Ameren Illinois is getting into the community solar game with its Solar Energy Center project in Peoria. Also in the Land of Lincoln, TurningPoint Energy and Generate Capital have energized a community solar site in Kendall County, near Chicagoland. In New York, Flatiron Energy has won two contracts from NYSERDA for the Big Apple’s battery storage efforts. Finally, NeoVolta and Lion Power have inked a $10 million supply deal revolving around Lion’s autonomous power management systems. Keep reading for all the details!

Cobb EMC launches SolarShare community solar project in Georgia

Cobb Electrical Membership Corporation (Cobb EMC) has cut the ribbon on SolarShare, its newest community solar project in Georgia, the company announced earlier this month.
The 1 MW facility is located adjacent to Interstate 75 in western Georgia’s Cobb County, and is one of just a few interstate solar projects in the U.S. As just the second project of its kind in Georgia, Cobb EMC developed the project in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Transportation.
“This project demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can create practical energy solutions for our members,” says Tim Jarrell, EVP of power supply and emerging technologies at Cobb EMC. “SolarShare gives members an affordable way to support local solar generation while helping us build a more diverse energy future for the communities we serve.”
Bright spot: SolarShare will expand access to solar energy and potential bill savings for eligible Cobb EMC members, especially those who may not be able to install residential solar themselves. Through the program, members will be able to subscribe to solar blocks from the shared facility, activating financial benefits through the energy produced by that block.
The new facility will also generate electricity directly in Cherokee County, feeding it into Cobb EMC’s electrical system. Officials say enrollment in SolarShare is now open, and that members may purchase up to five solar blocks, each representing three panels at the facility.
Electrification and automation firm Siemens has unveiled its “state of the art” microgrid project at its Wendell, North Carolina headquarters, officials announced Oct. 23.
The new project combines onsite renewable generation, energy storage, and “intelligent energy management,” according to representatives. The 1.25 MW microgrid is paired with a 3.9 MWh battery system, and integrates with other campus-wide energy saving initiatives to allow the Wendell site to achieve fully carbon-neutral operations.
“The microgrid that we’ve integrated here at our Wendell campus is one of the more advanced microgrids installed in the market today,” says Brian Dula, Siemens USA’s president of electrification and automation. “It’s a true showcase of Siemens’ end-to-end portfolio of products, from generation to consumption and demonstrates not only how we’re making our own operations more efficient but also displays what we can do for our customers.”
Bright spot: The project is part of a wider commitment by Siemens, to achieve a full net-zero carbon footprint by 2030, representatives say. Additionally, the company’s new project “significantly improves” on operational resilience, shielding the North Carolinian firm from grid outages that have become more and more commonplace in recent years.
“Given the strong growth we’re experiencing across the regions we serve, protecting customer reliability in a cost-effective manner is a core focus of Duke Energy’s grid modernization efforts,” says Venu Ghanta, Duke Energy’s VP of North Carolina regulatory affairs and policy. “We’ve had a tremendous partnership for decades with Siemens, and we appreciate their focus on delivering solutions that improve grid resiliency.”
The company’s headquarters also recently opened an interactive Customer Experience Center, complete with workforce training classroom, a conference center, and expanded manufacturing lines.

Ameren Illinois energizes Peoria-based Solar Energy Center

Ameren Illinois has energized its 2.5 MW Solar Energy Center project, located in northwest Peoria, Illinois, complete with an array of 5,000 solar panels across its 37-acre site.
The site features a 1.5 MW / 4 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) asset, courtesy of Peoria’s own ELM MicroGrid. Ameren officials say the project is part of the company’s work with the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The law permitted Ameren to both construct and operate solar generation assets in “select equity-eligible communities” like Peoria.
“At a time when electricity prices are rising nationwide due to increased demand and supply constraints, projects like this one can help reduce local energy costs by bringing much needed power to the grid,” says Patrick Smith, chairman and president of Ameren Illinois. “We’re pleased to demonstrate to state policy makers and our customers that Ameren Illinois can build it better, stronger, and faster.” 
Bright spot: Along with facilities in East St. Louis, Illinois, the Peoria project is the third generation facility developed by Ameren Illinois in the past 28 years, the company says.
The project’s completion strengthens Ameren’s commitment to powering both the regional economy and electrical grid of Illinois, officials say. The company has invested about $112.4 million for improved reliability in Peoria over the past seven years, including investments in transmission infrastructure and new electrical substations.
“By integrating battery storage with solar generation, the Peoria Solar Energy Center is better managing energy production which supports grid stability and maximizes the benefits of renewable resources,” said Aron Bowman, president of ELM MicroGrid. “This project is especially meaningful to our team because we had the opportunity to work with Azimuth Energy and Ameren Illinois to bring this technology home to Peoria, where ELM’s story began.”

Duke Energy Florida energizes Jefferson County solar project

Duke Energy Florida has completed construction on its Bailey Mill Solar Center in northern Florida’s Jefferson County, the company says.
Jefferson County has become notable for the complete lack of traffic lights within its borders, but the county’s energy landscape is getting a modern-era facelift. The 74.9 MW project contains 163,000 solar panels and, at peak, production, will generate enough solar energy to power about 15,000 homes on the rural outskirts of Tallahassee.
“The launch of Bailey Mill is another step toward lowering long-term energy costs for our customers,” says Melissa Seixas, state president of Duke Energy Florida. “Every solar site we bring online reduces the amount of fuel we need to purchase, and those savings go directly to our customers’ bills. We’re grateful to the Jefferson County community for partnering with us to make this project possible.”
Bright spot: Duke Energy officials expect the Bailey Mill project to save customers $250 million in fuel costs over its lifetime. The company says the solar array will displace 1.2 million cubic feet of natural gas, 15,000 barrels of fuel oil and 12,000 tons of coal on an annual basis at peak output.
Duke Energy Florida currently owns, operates, and maintains a portfolio of more than 25 solar sites across the Sunshine State, including five that have reached completion since 2025. In total, the projects generate about 1.85 GW of energy.

NeoVolta signs $10 million battery agreement with Lion Power

Energy technology firm NeoVolta and South Carolina-based power management system company Lion Power have inked a Master Supply Agreement for NeoVolta’s battery systems.
The $10 million agreement establishes a binding minimum purchase commitment for delivery throughout 2027, the companies say. NeoVolta Power has already received orders valued at more than $4 million, complete with multiple MWh of battery capacity orders set to ship before the end of 2026.
The battery packs will support Lion Power’s PowerBase autonomous power management (APM) system. NeoVolta Power president Steve Bond says his firm is “excited” to have Lion Power as a partner, as it aims to broaden the horizons of its commercial and industrial customer base.
“PowerBase is a strong technical fit for our battery management and manufacturing capabilities, and this agreement reflects the confidence Lion Power has placed in our quality and our ability to deliver at scale,” Bond says. “We look forward to supporting their growth as we begin shipments this quarter.”
Bright spot: The initial battery shipments will mark NeoVolta Power’s first deliveries in the commercial and industrial sector, officials say. The APM products will further assist energy facility operators in cutting peak demand, as well as lower overall energy costs and simplify modern power infrastructure.
“We’re beginning to see momentum as purchase orders start to come in, which speaks to the strength of demand for our products and the confidence our customers have in NeoVolta,” says NeoVolta CEO Ardes Johnson. “Diversification is an important part of our strategy — our C&I business spans a wide and varied set of end markets, and this partnership with Lion Power is a good example of the kind of complementary opportunity that diversity allows us to pursue, without pulling focus from our core utility-scale and C&I business.”

Generate Capital, TurningPoint Energy energize Illinois solar farm

TurningPoint Energy and energy investment firm Generate Capital have cut the ribbon on a new 3.5 MWac community solar project in Sandwich, Illinois, officials announced Oct. 21.
The new project is one of the first community solar farms in Kendall County, which sits on the outskirts of the Chicagoland area. Developed through Illinois’ Adjustable Block Program, now known as Illinois Shines, the project is part of an eight-site portfolio TPE is developing in conjunction with Generate Capital.
“Community solar is a great example of how sustainable infrastructure can deliver immediate, tangible benefits to the communities it serves,” says Peggy Flannery, managing director of investments at Generate Capital. “Together with TurningPoint Energy, we’re bringing reliable, locally generated power to Illinois communities while helping residents and small businesses lower their energy costs.”
Bright spot: In addition to normal solar energy benefits, the Kendall County site incorporates agrivoltaic benefits and land management practices for pollinators. These practices, along with the fleet of sheep the firm will bring in for grazing, will promote biodiversity and soil health throughout the life of the solar project.
The project is currently delivering utility bill savings to 90 local subscribers including both residential customers and small businesses. In total, the eight-project, 34.5 MWac portfolio will deliver nearly $70 million in projected bill savings over its operating lifetime.
“This project demonstrates how thoughtfully developed energy infrastructure can create meaningful benefits for communities beyond electricity generation,” says TPE president Salar Naini. “Together with Generate, we’re delivering a project that combines community solar with responsible land stewardship, creating long-term value for subscribers, host communities, and Illinois’ broader clean energy transition.”

Flatiron Energy wins contracts for two battery projects in New York City

Flatiron Energy has announced that New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has awarded contracts to two Flatiron battery sites in New York City.
Flatiron’s Blue Spruce Storage and Palladium Storage are among eight bulk energy storage projects selected as part of New York’s inaugural Bulk Energy Storage solicitation. The eight-project collective will add an expected 950 MW of new energy storage capacity to New York’s electrical grid once fully operational, with the two Flatiron projects deliberately sited to help out the Big Apple.
“I congratulate Flatiron Energy and applaud the role Blue Spruce Storage and Palladium Storage will play in providing capacity to New York City’s electricity network during peak periods,” says NYSERDA president and CEO Doreen M. Harris. “These energy storage projects are critical to improving the reliability of New York’s grid, reducing costs for ratepayers, and deploying clean energy to meet the State’s growing power needs.”
The contracts will support the state of New York’s efforts to expand energy storage in response to a straining grid. The Empire State is working to employ 6 GW of energy storage by 2030, and NYSERDA estimates this inaugural solicitation will boost interest in that deployment, generating more than $1.6 billion in private investments and 500-plus jobs.
Bright spot: Flatiron expects both projects to be operational before that 2030 storage deadline, aiding New York in its energy transition. Additionally, the extra battery storage will help residents to save on electrical costs during periods of high demand, including summer heat waves.
“We are extremely proud to have two projects selected in New York’s first bulk energy storage solicitation,” says Flatiron CCO Juliana Mandell. “These awards mark an important milestone for Flatiron and reflect our commitment to developing energy storage infrastructure that strengthens the electric grid and benefits local communities. We look forward to developing these projects alongside NYSERDA and our local partners.”

Tags: BESS, commercial and industrial, Community Solar, project, Projects Weekly, storage, utility-scale


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