Conergy, a Germany-based company, recently secured a $55 million financing facility to support the construction of seven solar parks, making North Carolina the epicenter for its move from being a construction contractor for solar projects to being an independent power producer that owns and operates solar projects. The funds will be used to build the first set of assets it will own and operate under its new independent producer strategy.
Conergy is already a market leader for engineering, purchasing and construction contracts for solar projects in several U.S. states, but now it wants to take the next step by expanding into ownership. Eventually, Conergy would like to own and operate projects in California, New Jersey, Massachusetts and possibly Florida, which Conergy believes are states that allow solar to compete in their markets.
The first projects Conergy has taken under direct ownership are a
portfolio of five (5) ground mount PV plants in North Carolina, totaling
28 MW. Conergy completed construction of these five (5) installations
in September. Also in September, it bought development rights for seven
(7) more projects, totaling 36 MW, from Arizona-based Sunlight.
Its goal is to meet all requirements to qualify for the North Carolina state solar tax credit. It expects the solar farm to start commercial operations early next year. Their output will be sold to Duke Energy Carolinas under a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement.
Conergy will remain active in construction in the state next year after it finished building out the Sunlight purchases.
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