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SB Energy’s Orion Solar Belt projects begin commercial operations

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SB Energy Global, backed by SoftBank Group, has commenced commercial operations for the Orion Solar Belt projects—Orion I, Orion II, and Orion III—in Milam County, Texas. The combined capacity of these utility-scale solar projects is 875 MWdc, contributing to the Texas power grid. The project utilizes over 1.3 million American-made solar modules, featuring domestic steel and components, emphasizing SB Energy’s commitment to supporting local industries and sustainable energy practices.

The solar projects are key in powering Google’s data centres in Ellis County and its Dallas cloud region. This collaboration is underpinned by a power purchase agreement (PPA), marking Google’s largest solar energy investment globally. The PPA supports Google’s goal of operating on carbon-free energy 24/7 by 2030, and aligns with its broader strategy involving a more than $1 billion investment to expand cloud and data centre infrastructure in Texas to meet rising demand for cloud, AI, and other digital services.

The Orion Solar Belt is expected to contribute an estimated $100 million to local services in Milam County over its lifetime. SB Energy co-CEO Rich Hossfeld emphasized the company’s dedication to creating American jobs and supporting major energy users. Hossfeld expressed gratitude to federal, state, and local leaders, including US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, as well as Google, and hopes the Orion Solar Belt will encourage further investment in a robust, American-made solar supply chain.

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