Renewable energy developer, owner and operator Longroad Energy announced it has reached financial close and has begun construction on the 202 MWdc (150 MWac) Umbriel solar project in Polk County, Texas, which is expected to generate more than Provide 30,000 households with electricity and reduce CO2 emissions about 250,000 tons annually.

Texas is the second US solar market fueled by a wide range of supportive solar policy and programs. Texas communities have a growing need for affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.

“Texas continues to be an attractive market for solar development and we are pleased to reach financial close and begin construction of Umbriel,” said Adam Horwitz, Longroad Energy’s vice president of origination and development operations.

“The completion of Umbriel marks over 1.7 GW of wind and solar projects designed, funded and built by the Longroad team in Texas.”

Solar power generated by the Umbriel project will be purchased by utility Entergy Texas through a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA).

“Umbriel Solar represents an important milestone as it will be our first solar resource to come online and further diversify our portfolio,” said Abigail Weaver, director of resource planning and market operations at Entergy Texas.

The Umbriel project is Longroad’s sixth greenfield renewable energy project in Texas to achieve financial close. Development began in 2017, and the project will be operational by the end of this year.

During operation, the project is estimated to generate over $9 million for the Livingston Independent School District and over $4 million in tax revenue for Polk County.