Zelestra has signed a new power purchase agreement (PPA) with Meta for the 180MW-direct current (MWdc) Palmera Solar Plant in Freestone County, Texas, US.
The deal expands the collaboration between the two companies, with the latest PPA becoming the eighth between them in the US.
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The combined agreements cover around 1.4GWdc of solar capacity, which is expected to be fully operational by 2028.
Palmera aims to contribute to Meta’s objective of increasing renewable energy on the grid while aligning its operations with 100% clean energy use.
The announcement of the Palmera agreement comes as construction begins on two previously announced projects; the 176MWdc Skull Creek Solar Plant in Anderson County, Texas, and the 200MWdc Reclamation Solar Project in Gibson County, Indiana. Both projects are supported by PPAs with Meta.
Meta clean and renewable energy head Amanda Yang said: “Meta is committed to bringing new renewable energy to the grid, and our expanding relationship with Zelestra is helping make that possible at scale.
“These projects aren’t just advancing our energy goals – they are creating jobs and delivering long-term value in the communities where they operate, and it shows what strong partnerships can achieve.”
According to Zelestra, these two solar sites are expected to support approximately 400 jobs at peak construction.
The Skull Creek project is forecast to support around 200 jobs during peak activity and generate an estimated $8.2m in economic impact for Anderson County.
Approximately 400,000 bifacial solar modules are set to be installed at the site.
McCarthy Building Companies has been named as the lead engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the Skull Creek project.
In Indiana, the Reclamation project is being built on land previously used for coal mining.
This site will also support around 200 jobs at peak construction and will see the installation of roughly 325,000 US-made bifacial modules.
The initiative will support soil restoration, native vegetation and regional biodiversity.
Qcells USA has been named as the solar module and EPC provider for the Reclamation project.
The partnership’s portfolio already includes the 81MWdc Jasper County Solar Project in Indiana, which recently achieved full commercial operation as the first project delivered under the Zelestra-Meta collaboration.
Zelestra US CEO Phil North said: “Our partnership with Meta continues to translate ambition into delivery. In just a few months, we have brought Jasper County online, started construction on Skull Creek and Reclamation, and now added Palmera to the portfolio.
“Together, we are accelerating the delivery of new energy infrastructure that supports Meta’s decarbonisation goals while delivering long-term economic value in local communities.”
Zelestra, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is developing a renewable energy pipeline of approximately 15GW across major US markets.
