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Kendall Sustainable Infrastructure (KSI) has begun operating three community solar projects in New York and Oregon, adding a combined 15.8 MW of solar power as utility rates rise across the U.S.
Different independent developers constructed each of the projects. The additions expand the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based firm’s portfolio, which reached 83 completed solar projects totaling 145 MWdc as of October 2026. KSI also has 71 MWdc of renewable energy sites under active construction across eight states.
"All three new projects came on-line quickly and provide critically needed power to the burgeoning demand on the electric grid", says KSI co-founder John Chaimanis. "The solar power provides energy savings to the off-takers, has funded well-paying jobs, and will contribute meaningfully to the tax base of the local communities they serve."
KSI pointed to its relationships with developers and construction and operations partners as support for bringing projects into service.
"KSI values long-standing partnerships with experienced developers, EPC contractors, O&M providers and other solar professionals", says KSI co-founder Ken Lehman. "These repeat partnerships help foster strong communication, consistent execution, and a shared understanding of project expectations, supporting a smoother path from construction through commercial operation."
The projects join a broader set of solar and storage developments, including a Colorado battery partnership, new financing and acquisitions in Illinois, and a newly energized Michigan solar park.
Madison Energy Infrastructure and CORE Electric Cooperative have announced a 50 MW / 200 MWh battery energy storage portfolio spanning three Colorado sites. The portfolio represents Madison’s largest distributed energy deployment to date.
The companies expect all three projects to begin operating by September 2027. They will use Tesla Megapack technology through Madison’s $50 million agreement with Tesla.
"Our partnership with CORE Electric Cooperative exemplifies our Community Infrastructure initiative and commitment to delivering value and benefits close to home", says Madison Energy Infrastructure CEO Richard Walsh. "Leading municipal utilities and electric cooperatives play a vital role in meeting the moment of increasing demand while prioritizing local businesses and residents. We are proud to work alongside CORE as we deploy community-first energy infrastructure throughout the country."
The storage projects will support CORE’s distribution infrastructure and help meet growing electricity demand. The companies describe the distributed generation approach as a flexible, cost-effective means of strengthening the local grid.
"Moving these battery storage projects from planning into construction puts us closer to delivering real benefits for our members", says Chris Hildred, chief energy supply officer at CORE Electric Cooperative. "As electricity demand grows, this storage will help us manage peak demand, control power costs, and maintain reliable service. We’re pleased to take this next step with Madison as we prepare for our communities’ future."
Arevon has secured a $120 million tax equity commitment from Wells Fargo Bank for its 124 MWdc Big Muddy Solar Project in Jackson County in southern Illinois, officials said Oct. 27.
The commitment follows a $183 million total debt package announced in February 2026. Together, the transactions allow Arevon to monetize tax attributes, including depreciation and investment tax credits.
"This latest tax equity commitment with Wells Fargo reflects the strength of our longstanding partnership and Arevon’s track record of executing complex transactions", says Denise Tait, Arevon’s CIO and interim CFO. "Together, we remain focused on advancing American-made energy projects that create jobs, generate tax revenue for schools and local governments, and deliver long-term value for both our financial partners and host communities."
More than 250 workers have helped build the facility since construction began in 2025. Officials expect Big Muddy to generate enough renewable energy annually for more than 24,000 Illinoisan homes and provide more than $12.6 million in property tax payments over its operating life.
"As part of our expanding relationship with Arevon, we are pleased to announce our financing of the Big Muddy Solar Project", says Andrew Kho, managing director of Wells Fargo Renewable Energy & Environmental Finance. "We are proud to support Arevon’s continued growth in the Midwest."
Elsewhere in Illinois, Standard Solar has acquired a 43.3 MW community solar portfolio comprising 13 projects from Chicago-based Trajectory Energy Partners. Standard Solar will handle construction, ownership and operation.
The acquisition "builds on Standard Solar’s growing investment in Illinois", the company says.
"Trajectory has done the hard work required to bring a portfolio of this scale forward across multiple Illinois communities", says Harry Benson, Standard Solar’s director of business development. "These are exactly the kinds of strong, well-developed projects we want to add to our portfolio.
"By bringing Standard Solar’s capital, safe harbor panel inventory, execution capabilities and long-term ownership model to the partnership, we can take what Trajectory has built and move these projects toward operation and decades of energy production."
The sites span northern, central and southern Illinois. Standard Solar expects most to reach commercial operation beginning in 2027, with others targeting energization in 2028.
"From the beginning, our approach has been to develop projects that work for the communities and landowners hosting them", says Jon Carson, founder and managing partner of Trajectory. "The Tallgrass projects reflect that approach and the years of building strong local partnerships to successfully navigate the complexities of early-stage development."
DTE Energy announced Oct. 28 that it had energized its 132 MW Fish Creek Solar Park near Sheridan, Michigan.
Customers participating in DTE’s MIGreenPower program fully funded the $268 million development, allowing the company to add solar generation without raising customer costs.
"Our customers expect us to keep the lights on and keep bills as affordable as possible, and bringing new generation like Fish Creek online is part of how we deliver on that commitment", says Matt Paul, president and COO of DTE Electric. "Fish Creek adds more Michigan-made energy to our system while supporting local jobs, generating new tax revenue and delivering lasting benefits for the communities that helped make this project possible."
DTE representatives say the park can produce enough energy for about 30,000 homes across central Michigan. Officials expect it to generate "tens of millions of dollars" in tax revenue for schools, first responders, roads, veterans, senior citizen services and other public works.
DTE and the Michigan Renewables Ready Communities Award have also awarded Bushnell and Evergreen townships $330,000 each for hosting large-scale renewable energy projects.
As of October 2026, DTE had 37 solar projects and 20 wind parks across Michigan, with enough renewable generation to power nearly 1 million homes.
The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) announced Oct. 26 that it had recognized dGEN Energy Partners and its Clear Lake School District project in its 2026 Project of the Year Awards.
The 107,000 square foot project in Clear Lake, Iowa, combines roof restoration with energy planning. Developed with Sherwin-Williams Roofing Solutions, it is intended to serve as a proof of concept for similar work at other public institutions.
"This project is a great example of what can happen when you look at a building’s infrastructure as a whole", says Walt Jordan, chief revenue officer of dGEN Energy Partners. "The district had a roofing problem to solve, but by looking at the roof and energy needs together, we were able to help develop a solution with longer-term financial benefits. That’s the kind of thinking more facilities should be doing."
dGEN completed most of the work during the summer to limit disruption to school operations. A reflective roofing system is designed to work with the solar installation to maximize efficiency, addressing building needs while helping the district save on energy bills.
The project and its award "highlights an increasingly important issue for public institutions and commercial property owners", the company says. As utility bills rise, companies are weighing major infrastructure investments alongside future energy needs.
"This is about making better use of the buildings organizations already own", Jordan adds. "Before spending millions on replacement or major upgrades, it’s worth asking whether there is a smarter way to address the building’s needs."
In upstate New York, Distributed Energy Infrastructure (DEI) revised its construction approach at the 3.37 MWdc Sapphire Solar project after encountering shallow bedrock and a high water table.
The site posed "significant site challenges" for the team. During excavation, workers found bedrock only 16 to 20 inches below grade in several areas, making the original underground DC conduit design "impractical", the firm says.
"When we encounter unexpected challenges, our goal is to address them quickly and adapt our approach to what will work best for the site", says Rusfid Haroon, senior project manager at Distributed Energy Infrastructure.
DEI’s engineering and contractor teams shifted a significant portion of the underground DC work to an above ground CAB system. They completed the redesign and field implementation within the timeframe originally allocated for underground trenching.
"Even hitting shallow bedrock and water table across the site, we brought together the experience of each team working on the site to re-evaluate, re-design, and implement a solution that kept the project moving while ensuring long-term reliability", Haroon adds.
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