Community Solar

Nexamp signs 1.5 GW community solar module order with Heliene

Nexamp signs 1.5 GW community solar module order with Heliene
(Courtesy: Nexamp)

Nexamp, a community solar provider, announced a new strategic partnership with Heliene, a provider of North American-made solar modules, that represents the largest community solar module order in U.S. history.

This order provides Nexamp access to 1.5 GW of modules that will be produced at Heliene’s Minnesota facility. Over the next five years, these modules will support the development and construction of about 400 new community solar projects across the nation.

Heliene expanded its facility in November 2022 and has additional expansions planned for September 2023 to increase its manufacturing capacity of domestic solar modules, which it said was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act through the extension and expansion of investment tax credits for clean energy resources. U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm and Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined Heliene CEO Martin Pochtaruk and Nexamp CEO Zaid Ashai on a tour of Heliene’s solar manufacturing facility in Mountain Iron, Minnesota to see how this solar order will be produced.

GO DEEPER: Renewable Properties founder and president Aaron Halimi joined Episode 33 of the Factor This! podcast to discuss the future of community solar in California which, to date, has lagged behind other markets, despite the state’s role as a leader of the energy transition. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

In addition to increasing the manufacturing capacity of domestic solar modules, Nexamp and Heliene’s partnership will support additional research and development and create nearly 1,000 green jobs throughout the Iron Range region to support local economic growth, the companies said.

“Nexamp is proud to partner with a North American solar manufacturer to help foster a more resilient supply chain, create green jobs throughout the Midwest, and accelerate the transition to a more just, secure, and resilient energy future,” said Zaid Ashai, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nexamp. “A solar order of this size is without precedent and comes at a critical time as the U.S. continues to develop its solar supply chain.”

Nexamp CEO Zaid Ashai will deliver a keynote address at the GridTECH Connect Forum – Northeast event in Newport, Rhode Island Oct. 23-25. Register to attend today.