Leeward Renewable Energy kicks off 100MW North Carolina project

October 7, 2022
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
First Solar will be providing the solar PV modules for LRE’s North Carolina plant. Image: First Solar.

Renewables developer Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) has started construction of its 100MW solar facility in North Carolina, US.

The developer will sell the electricity generated to telecommunications giant Verizon Communications under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA).

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Both companies have a long withstanding partnership as they previously signed several PPA agreements earlier this year for a portfolio of solar and wind plants in the US with a combined capacity of 640MW.

Blue Ridge Power has been contracted to serve as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor for the “Oak Trail Solar” project, while First Solar will provide its thin-film solar modules.

The module manufacturer recently signed a supply agreement with LRE for 1GW of its thin film modules that will be deployed across its US pipeline of projects between 2023 and 2024.

Moreover, in line with its Ohio project started in August, the Oak Trail Solar will use 30% of the project’s acreage to establish a pollinator habitat, plant native vegetation and wildflowers for screening.

“Oak Trail Solar marks another milestone in the growth of LRE’s renewable energy portfolio and is an example of how we manage our projects in alignment with our core values of protecting and respecting the environment and communities in which we operate,” said Sam Mangrum, SVP of project execution at LRE.

The project brings LRE renewables portfolio of projects under construction to 880MW, with the North Carolina solar plant expected to reach commercial operation by mid-2023.

Read Next

October 22, 2025
Leeward Renewable Energy has started commercial operations at its 177MW Ridgely solar project in the US state of Tennessee.
October 22, 2025
US thin-film manufacturer First has revealed another transfer of its 45X manufacturing tax credits in a deal worth around US$775 million.
Premium
October 6, 2025
Talon PV aims to be the first US company to safely manufacture TOPCon cells at scale, backed by European technology and a crucial First Solar licensing deal.
October 1, 2025
North Carolina-based engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company Blue Ridge Power has laid off more than 500 of its employees at two locations.
September 23, 2025
Boviet Solar has added an additional 1GW of manufacturing capacity to its module manufacturing plant in North Carolina.
August 28, 2025
Boviet Solar has completed exterior construction work on its 3GW PV cell manufacturing facility in Greenville, Pitt County, North Carolina. 

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
November 12, 2025
10am PST / 1pm EST
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 10, 2026
Frankfurt, Germany