8minute starts the commericial operation of the 200 MW Holstein solar PV project in Nolan County

8minute Solar Energy and Duke Energy Renewables have started the commercial operation of 280 MW (280 MWdc / 200 MWac) Holstein solar project, located in Nolan County, Texas.

The 200 MWac Holstein Solar project features over 709,000 solar panels across approximately 1,300 acres in Wingate, Texas. The facility will power the equivalent of 40,000 homes. The project employed up to 400 workers during peak construction. 

Duke Energy Renewables, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, acquired the project from 8minute in July 2019. 8minute continued to oversee all development aspects through to commercial operation and brought the EPC, operation and maintenance (O&M), hedge, tax equity and debt counterparties to the Holstein project.

SunTrust provided the tax equity investment. CIT Group led a consortium of banks that provided the construction loan, letter of credit and term loan facility for the project.

Much of the energy generated from the Holstein solar project will be sold through a 12-year term hedge agreement to J. Aron & Company LLC., a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs.

The facility’s design, procurement of inverters, the balance of plant systems, and construction of the project were performed by Blattner Energy. First Solar Energy Services will provide O&M services for the project under a 5-year agreement.