SB Energy Launches 900MWdc Orion Solar Belt Project in Texas

SB Energy, the U.S. renewable energy division of SoftBank, has officially commenced commercial operations for its massive 900-MWdc Orion Solar Belt portfolio. Located in Milam County, Texas, the project consists of three individual solar farms—Orion I, Orion II, and Orion III—that collectively utilize over 1.3 million American-made solar panels manufactured by First Solar.

The vast majority of the project’s output is dedicated to powering the digital economy. Through a significant power purchase agreement, 85% of the generated electricity will supply Google’s data centers in Ellis County and its cloud services throughout the Dallas area. This partnership is a key component of Google’s ambitious goal to operate on carbon-free energy 24/7 by 2030. Ben Sloss, Google’s Vice President of 24×7 and Capacity, stated, “We’re thrilled SB Energy’s Orion Solar Belt is coming online, helping build a stronger future for communities and Google in Texas.” The remaining 15% of the energy will be delivered to the Texas grid, benefiting local homes and businesses.

This project stands as a testament to the Biden-Harris Administration’s clean energy strategy, particularly the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). By sourcing its solar modules from a domestic manufacturer, SB Energy is positioned to leverage incentives designed to bolster American manufacturing. U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm praised the development, noting, “This project showcases how American-made clean energy can power data centres and our future.” The construction and manufacturing phases are estimated to have created around 3,000 jobs.

The Orion Solar Belt significantly reinforces Texas’s position as a national leader in renewable energy. Situated in the town of Buckholts, the project is expected to contribute $100 million to local services over its operational lifetime. The state’s energy portfolio is increasingly diverse, with nearly 30% of its power derived from renewable sources. Texas currently leads the nation in installed renewable capacity, as the state boasts 70 gigawatts of installed solar, wind, and energy storage capacity. While a Solar Energy project of this magnitude could typically power approximately 105,000 homes, its primary role highlights the growing demand from tech giants for large-scale clean power.

Sources

1. SB Energy Announces Orion Solar Belt Operation
2. American-made Solar Projects to Power Google Data Centers
3. Largest Solar Project in Texas, Backed by Google, Opens
4. Project Details: Orion Solar Belt
5. Huge Solar Project Launches in Texas with Google as Top Customer
6. Massive Texas Solar Farm Opens to Power Google
7. SB Energy Announces Commercial Operation via PR Newswire
8. SB Energy Inaugurates 900MW Texas PV Cluster
9. Context on Large-Scale Solar Farms in the U.S.