Box Canyon solar project in Arizona begins operation

The Box Canyon solar project in Pinal County in the US state of Arizona has commenced commercial operation.

It is a joint venture between BrightNight and Cordelio Power, and the first project in the partners’ 2.5GW Arizona portfolio.

The 300MW utility-scale solar project, located near the town of Florence, is the largest renewable energy procurement for the Southwest Public Power Agency (SPPA).

BrightNight has taken the lead in developing the Box Canyon project.

Its CEO Martin Hermann stated: “At over 900,000MWh [megawatt hours] of projected annual production, the Box Canyon solar project will provide reliable, clean and affordable energy for more than 40 years – generating local revenue, enabling continued economic growth in the region and creating skilled American jobs.

“The project is a perfect example of BrightNight’s 35GW portfolio across the US, designed to meet urgent demand for reliable, firm power in high-growth markets driven by industrialisation, AI data centres and electrification.”

The operation of the project will bring substantial economic benefits to the local community. An estimated $134m is expected to be generated through wages and property taxes, contributing more than $180m to the county’s economy.

The project is also set to provide more than $65m in land lease payments to the State of Arizona Land Trust, which supports key public services including K–12 [the range of publicly supported education from kindergarten up to 12th grade], university education and state hospitals.

A portion of the project’s proceeds will fund scholarships for 50 students to attend Central Arizona College’s electrician programme for the next five years.

In 2024, BrightNight and Cordelio Power secured a $260m tax-equity financing commitment for the project.

JP Morgan’s affiliate and Capital One agreed to provide the financing as a partnership flip to monetise production tax credits.