UTILITY-SCALE SOLAR & SOLAR + BESS

AN EFFICIENT, COST-EFFECTIVE ENERGY SOURCE

A FOCUS ON UNTAPPED REGIONS

Graphite Solar solar panels

rPlus leaders have been publicly recognized for pioneering clean energy development in regions with untapped solar potential. Take Utah, a state with enough solar potential to power the entire United States.  rPlus Energies team members have been instrumental in opening Utah’s market for utility-scale solar development. With the 80 MW Utah Red Hills Renewable Park in Iron County, the team commissioned Utah’s first utility-scale solar plant in 2015, more than doubling the state’s solar footprint at that time.  The following year, also in Iron County, they completed development of the 80 MW Three Peaks Power solar plant, and commenced development of the 200 MW Appaloosa Solar, which started construction in 2022.

Fast forward to 2022. rPlus has six utility-scale solar projects in active development, construction or operation in multiple counties across Utah. Totaling over 1 GW of renewable energy capacity, these projects include the recently commissioned and now operating 80 MW Graphite Solar project located in Carbon County, and the 400 MW solar plus 200 MW battery Green River Energy Center under development in Emery County, both known for their tradition and culture of coal mines and coal-fired power plants some of which have already, or are scheduled to be, closed.  Within the ongoing national transition to a clean energy economy, rPlus Energies can and will continue working resolutely to help these counties maintain their legacy as, and help other counties around the American West become, energy exporters.

GRAPHITE SOLAR

Project Highlight

Graphite Solar - rPlus Energies Solar Projects
Graphite Solar - rPlus Energies Solar Projects
Graphite Solar - rPlus Energies Solar Projects
Graphite Solar - rPlus Energies Solar Projects

LOCAL FIRMS USED

NATIONAL FIRMS USED

Project Highlight

APPALOOSA SOLAR 1

Appaloosa Solar 1 - rPlus Energies Solar Projects
Appaloosa Solar 1 - rPlus Energies Solar Projects
Appaloosa Solar 1 - rPlus Energies Solar Projects
Appaloosa Solar 1 - rPlus Energies Solar Projects

Project Highlight

PLEASANT VALLEY SOLAR

rPlus Energies and Matrix Renewables break ground and begin construction on the 200 MWac / 261 MWdc Pleasant Valley Solar project in Q3 2023. Once the solar facility is operational, the project will be the largest solar facility in Idaho Power's service territory and will deliver output into the same grid that supports Meta's new data center in Kuna, Idaho.

The hosts of the groundbreaking ceremony were joined by landowners, project partners, local elected officials, project vendors, and members of the community.  

"rPlus is proud to work with Meta and Idaho Power as long-term partners to help achieve their sustainability goals and manage the region's transition to renewable energy," stated Luigi Resta, rPlus Energies President & CEO. "We are equally proud to partner with Matrix Renewables, who share our deep respect and commitment to renewable power generation for Ada County and the surrounding community."

The project is expected to utilize many local vendors during construction, bringing significant revenue to the area, benefits to local businesses, and approximately 220 construction related jobs.

Pleasant Valley Solar - rPlus Energies Solar Projects
Pleasant Valley Solar - rPlus Energies Solar Projects
Pleasant Valley Solar - rPlus Energies Solar Projects
Pleasant Valley Solar - rPlus Energies Solar Projects

Project Highlight

GREEN RIVER ENERGY CENTER

rPlus Energies has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with PacifiCorp for a 400 MWac solar PV facility integrated with a 400 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) in Emery County, Utah. The Green River Energy Center, is currently the largest planned solar plus storage facility in Utah and one of the largest facilities in the PacifiCorp system.

The inclusion of storage to a large-scale solar plant enhances its performance on the grid, allowing portions of generation during the day to be stored and used at later times, and to increase the overall reliability of the system.   

rPlus Energies has selected Sundt Construction to provide the engineering, procurement, and construction services for the combined solar and storage facilities. Construction is expected to commence in early 2023 and is expected to create over 400 jobs as well as multiple permanent positions. In addition to increased job opportunities and utilization of construction-related firms in the surrounding area, Green River Energy Center represents a roughly $750 million investment in Utah’s economy and will provide substantial tax benefits to Emery County.

“Emery County, Utah has been an energy community for a long time. With the Huntington and Hunter plants due to reach end of useful life over the next ten to twenty years, the fabric of the county is rapidly transforming. The Green River Energy Center continues the legacy of pioneering change and discovery in the region.” Luigi Resta, President & CEO of rPlus Energies.

Green River Energy Center - rPlus Energies Solar Projects