SB Energy LLC, the renewable energy division of Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp, has begun commercial operations of its 900-MWdc Orion Solar Belt portfolio. This landmark project features over 1.3 million American-made solar modules manufactured by First Solar in Texas.
SB Energy Installs 1.3 Million American-Made Solar Panels
SB Energy has announced that its Orion I, Orion II, and Orion III solar projects—collectively known as the “Orion Solar Belt”—are now fully operational. Together, the three solar farms utilize an impressive 1.3 million American-made solar panels from First Solar.
While this represents a major boost for the Texas grid, 85% of the electricity will power Google data centers in Ellis County and its cloud services in the Dallas area. Google has signed a $1 billion power purchase agreement with SB Energy Global as part of its initiative to become carbon-free by 2030. Only the remaining 15% will supply homes and businesses in Texas.
Because the solar panels were manufactured domestically, SB Energy Global, a subsidiary of SoftBank, expects to qualify for incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act. The IRA, passed in 2022 without any Republican support in Congress, encourages domestic manufacturing. Nevertheless, Texas officials were present at the launch event, attempting to take credit for the project’s success.
“The Biden-Harris Administration envisioned an industrial strategy for clean energy that’s built and installed by American workers and powering American companies in proud American communities. This future is seen in action through the Orion Solar Belt in Texas. This project showcases how American-made clean energy can power data centres and our future,” said Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Secretary of Energy.
Orion Solar Farms to Power Google Data Centers
According to The Houston Chronicle, the three Orion solar farms are located in the town of Buckholts, about 150 miles northwest of Houston and 70 miles north of Austin, with a population of fewer than 400 residents. Built side by side, these farms collectively generate 875 megawatts of energy. Based on data from the Solar Energy Industries Association, a project of this size in Texas could typically power around 105,000 homes—though this project’s energy will primarily be used to power Google facilities.
“Google’s data centres house some of the world’s most popular services and are a major economic engine for 21st-century business. Our goal is to make sure that the services and products that people and customers use every day are powered by reliable carbon-free energy around the clock. We’re thrilled SB Energy’s Orion Solar Belt is coming online, helping build a stronger future for communities and Google in Texas,” said Ben Sloss, Google vice president of 24×7 and capacity.
Texas Expands Solar Leadership with Orion Solar Belt
Google is not the only tech giant expanding its investments in Texas. The launch of the Orion Solar Belt further highlights Texas’s growing leadership in solar energy production, according to The Houston Chronicle. SB Energy estimates that the construction and component manufacturing for this belt project will create 3,000 jobs. Over its lifetime, the three solar projects are also expected to contribute $100 million to local services.
The Texas economy is thriving, with renewable energy playing a significant role. The Lone Star State ranks first in the U.S. for total energy consumption and installed renewable energy capacity. Currently, Texas has 70 gigawatts of installed solar, wind, and energy storage capacity, allowing residents to obtain nearly 30% of their energy from renewable sources.
The domestic production of components and racking systems by American workers directly supports the goals of the Inflation Reduction Act. The Orion Solar Belt is a clear example of how the IRA is creating good-paying jobs for Americans while increasing access to clean, renewable energy nationwide.