Zelestra and Meta have signed a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the 180 MWdc Palmera solar plant in Texas. This agreement expands a broader partnership that now encompasses eight US projects totaling approximately 1.4 GWdc of solar capacity.
Palmera Solar Plant and Texas Portfolio Expansion
The new PPA covers the 180 MWdc (140 MWac) Palmera solar plant located in Freestone County, Texas. This addition follows the recent start of construction on the 176 MWdc Skull Creek Solar Plant in Anderson County, Texas. The Skull Creek project will utilize approximately 400,000 bifacial solar modules, with McCarthy Building Companies serving as the lead EPC contractor. Zelestra expects Skull Creek to support roughly 200 jobs at peak construction and generate an estimated $8.2 million in local economic impact.
Reclamation Solar Project and Indiana Operations
In Gibson County, Indiana, construction has begun on the 200 MWdc Reclamation solar project. This facility is being developed on land reclaimed from former coal mining operations and will install approximately 325,000 US-made bifacial modules. Qcells USA Corp. is the appointed solar module and EPC provider for the project, which aims to support soil restoration and regional biodiversity enhancement. The Reclamation project is expected to support 200 jobs at peak construction. These Indiana developments follow the 81 MWdc Jasper County Solar Project, which recently reached full commercial operation as the first project delivered under the Meta and Zelestra collaboration.
US Pipeline and Operational Timelines
The eight PPAs currently held by Meta and Zelestra are all expected to be operational by 2028. Zelestra, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is developing a broader US pipeline of approximately 15 GW across key markets. The company's current strategy focuses on multi-technology solutions tailored for hyperscalers and corporate customers. The company did not disclose further details regarding the specific financial terms of the PPAs or the exact commissioning dates for the projects currently under construction.
Key Takeaways
- Meta and Zelestra have eight US PPAs totaling approximately 1.4 GWdc of solar capacity, all expected to be operational by 2028.
- The Reclamation project in Indiana will utilize 325,000 US-made bifacial modules on land reclaimed from former coal mining operations.
- The Skull Creek project in Texas is expected to generate an estimated $8.2 million in local economic impact and utilize 400,000 bifacial modules.
EnergyInsyte's Take
The scale of this partnership signals the continued reliance of hyperscalers on long-term PPAs to match operational energy needs with new grid generation. The use of reclaimed mining land in Indiana suggests a strategic focus on utilizing brownfield sites to reduce permitting friction and environmental impact. Executives should monitor the 2028 operational timeline to see if supply chain and interconnection constraints affect the delivery of the remaining 1.4 GWdc portfolio.
Source: Businesswire
