Partners Group and Greystone Infrastructure Fund invest in solar developer

Silicon Ranch Corporation, a U.S. developer, owner, and operator of solar energy plants, has closed on an equity investment round that raised in excess of US$55 million.

Partners Group, a global private markets investment manager with over US$57 billion in assets under management, led the round with a US$40 million commitment on behalf of its clients. Partners Group was joined in this investment round by other Silicon Ranch shareholders, including the Greystone Infrastructure Fund managed by Greystone Managed Investments Inc., a Canadian investment management firm with over CAD30 billion under management.

Nashville-based Silicon Ranch is a full-service renewable energy provider that develops to own all of its projects for the long-term, a business model that distinguishes its approach to project development, design, construction, and operation, as well as its engagement with the communities it serves. The company works with a diverse set of customers, including utilities, military and defense facilities, small to large industrial facilities, and commercial businesses.

In closing this latest equity raise, Silicon Ranch attracted more than US$165 million of new equity capital during the course of 2016. In April, the company announced a US$100 million equity commitment from Partners Group on behalf of its clients, a platform investment that aligned the Swiss-headquartered firm with one of the fastest-growing independent power producers in the U.S. The scale of that investment supported a growth strategy that saw Silicon Ranch more than double its operating capacity for a second straight year. In addition to constructing more than a dozen new solar plants during 2016, Silicon Ranch added significantly to its pipeline through contracts with new and existing customers across the country.

Reagan Farr, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Silicon Ranch said:

"By any measure 2016 truly was a watershed year in our company's history. Every unit of our organization worked toward a common vision to achieve tremendous growth, and this significant investment by our shareholders allows us to accelerate this momentum in 2017."

Todd Bright, Head of Private Infrastructure in the Americas, Partners Group, said:

"Since the initial platform investment in April 2016, we have worked closely with Silicon Ranch's excellent management team to facilitate an expansion of its growth plan. The additional investment by Partners Group on behalf of our clients will fund that growth as the company continues to enhance its position as a leader within its peer group in the U.S. solar energy sector."

David Vickerman, Vice Chairman and Chief Corporate Development Officer of Silicon Ranch said:

"To have this additional support from our shareholders, including a pair of sophisticated, global investment managers, is a strong signal of their faith in what we are doing at Silicon Ranch. The scale of this investment positions us to build on our success by developing new projects, entering new markets, and actively looking for strategic acquisition opportunities."