Using the Geospatial Energy and Mining (GEM) project database from BuildCentral, we’re examining the United States’s top solar farm construction pipelines. To do that, we’re taking advantage of GEM’s complete project lifecycle tracking to look exclusively at solar farm projects set to begin construction in 2023.
In doing so, take note of the detailed project reporting that BuildCentral’s 75-plus researchers compile and update daily. For each of the leading states for solar farm construction pipelines, we highlight one sample project report.
Which states have the top solar farm construction pipelines for 2023?
Top 2023 Solar Farm Construction Pipelines
Illinois
| Project Type: |
Solar Farm |
Construction Type: |
New |
| Interconnection: |
Eastern |
|
|
| Estimated Value: |
$180 million |
|
|
| Power Output: |
150 MW |
Site Area: |
486 hectares |
|
|
|
|
| Sector: |
Private |
On/Offshore: |
Onshore |
| Location: |
Chester, IL 62233. farmland S of Tilden |
| Details: |
Status: Special Use Permit Approval Granted By Zoning Board of Appeals | Method of Appointing Contractor Yet To Be Determined * 150 MW solar farm * Solar photovoltaic panels * Solar mounting & tracking structures * Electrical cabling * Trenching * Grid connection * Inverters * Access roads * Associated site & civil works |
| Stage: |
Proposed |
| Construction Start: |
10/2023 |
| Construction End: |
9/2024 |
Minnesota
Red Rock Solar Project
| Project Type: |
Solar Farm |
Construction Type: |
New |
| Interconnection: |
Eastern |
|
|
| Estimated Value: |
$86.159 million |
|
|
| Power Output: |
60 MW |
Site Area: |
194 hectares |
|
|
|
|
| Sector: |
Private |
On/Offshore: |
Onshore |
| Location: |
Midway Township, MN 56159 |
| Details: |
Status: Certificate of Need (Mpuc Docket No Ip-7014/Cn-19-486) & Site Permit (Mpuc Docket No Ip-7014/Gs-19-620) Approval Granted By Minnesota Public Utilities Commission | Method of Appointing Contractor Yet To Be Determined * 60 MW solar farm * Solar photovoltaic panels * 34.5/161 kV step-up substation * Inverters * Electrical collection & communication lines * Solar mounting & tracking structures * Electrical cabling * Electrical wiring * Transformers * Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition system * Trenching * Grid connection * Transmission grid * Connection to Blue Lake-Wilmarth-Interstate Interconnection 345 kV transmission line * Agricultural woven wire fence (approx 7 ft) * Security fencing around substation (approx 6 ft) * Operation & maintenance building * 10 stormwater drainage basins * 3 weather stations (10 ft) * 3 temporary laydown areas * Security cameras * 6.6 km gravel access roads * Associated site & civil works |
| Stage: |
Starts in 4-12 months |
| Construction Start: |
8/2023 |
| Construction End: |
8/2024 |
New York
| Project Type: |
Solar Farm |
Construction Type: |
New |
| Interconnection: |
Eastern |
|
|
| Estimated Value: |
> $100 million |
|
|
| Power Output: |
120 MW |
Site Area: |
1074.44 hectares |
|
|
Solar Panel: |
460000 |
| Sector: |
Private |
On/Offshore: |
Onshore |
| Location: |
Watertown, NY 13601. W of Interstate 81, SW city of Watertown |
| Details: |
Status: Major Renewable Energy Facility Construction Permit Granted By Office of Renewable Energy Siting | Written Public Comments closed | Public Comment Hearing closed | Grid Connections In Progress With New York Independent System Operator | Method of Appointing Contractor Yet To Be Determined *120 MW solar farm *460,000 Solar photovoltaic panels *Single-axis tracking structures *Inverters (44 units) *Medium voltage collection system *On-site interconnection facility *115 kV transmission line *Step-up transformer *Internal infrastructure *Access roads *Fencing *Temporary laydown areas for equipment staging *Energy storage components *Substation *Associated site & civil works |
| Stage: |
Starts in 1-3 months |
| Construction Start: |
1/2023 |
| Construction End: |
1/2024 |
Texas
Flatland Solar Project
| Project Type: |
Solar Farm |
Construction Type: |
New |
| Interconnection: |
Texas |
|
|
| Estimated Value: |
> $100 million |
|
|
| Power Output: |
180 MW |
Site Area: |
279.23 hectares |
|
|
Solar Panel: |
690000 |
| Sector: |
Private |
On/Offshore: |
Onshore |
| Location: |
Lubbock, TX 79404. 160.93 km S of Lubbock |
| Details: |
Status: Enbridge Inc. Acquired Tri Global Energy * 180 MW solar farm * 690,000 solar photovoltaic panels * Solar mounting & tracking structures * Electrical cabling * Trenching * Grid connection * 138 kV interconnection * Associated site & civil works |
| Stage: |
Proposed |
| Construction Start: |
8/2023 |
| Construction End: |
8/2024 |
Virginia
360 Solar Center Project
| Project Type: |
Solar Farm |
Construction Type: |
New |
| Interconnection: |
Eastern |
|
|
| Estimated Value: |
$25-$100 million |
Size: |
19602000 |
| Power Output: |
52 MW |
Site Area: |
323.74 hectares |
|
|
Solar Panel: |
120000 |
| Sector: |
Private |
On/Offshore: |
Onshore |
| Location: |
Skinquarter, VA 23120 |
| Details: |
Status: Conditional Use Permit Application Submitted To Chesterfield County | Power Purchase Agreement Signed With Dominion Energy | Notice of Intent To File Permit By Rule Application Submitted To Virginia Department of Environmental Quality | Method Of Appointing Contractor Yet To Be Determined *52 MW solar farm *120,000 Solar photovoltaic panels *Solar mounting & tracking structures *Electrical cabling *Trenching *Grid connection *Stormwater Management *Associated site & civil works |
| Stage: |
Starts in 1-3 months |
| Construction Start: |
2/2023 |
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