NextEra, Entergy Top U.S. Solar Project Starts in 4th Quarter

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Written by Will Ploch, Assistant Editor-in-Chief for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

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Summary

Solar power remains a significant force in the U.S. power-generation sector, where it is meeting much of the new electricity demand. Companies such as NextEra and Entergy are planning more facilities to meet rising needs in some of the busiest hotspots.

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NextEra, Entergy Lead Investments

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicted at the beginning of 2026 that increases in electricity use across the U.S. would be met mainly by increased solar generation, and recent developments in the power-generation sector have proven them right. Industrial Info Resources is tracking about $23 billion worth of U.S.-based solar-generation projects that are set to begin construction in the fourth quarter, of which about $9.7 billion worth are deemed to have a high likelihood (at least 81% probability) of kicking off as currently scheduled.

According to Industrial Info Resources data, NextEra Energy Incorporated accounts for more investment in project kickoffs over this period than any other parent company, at slightly more than $3 billion. Leading the pack is the Highland Solar I plant in Boone, Colorado, which is designed to generate 300 megawatts (MW) from 600,000 photovoltaic (PV) modules.

Alamosa County commissioners approved the project last November, hoping it would convince state officials and the Public Service Company of Colorado, a subsidiary of Xcel Energy, to boost transmission and distribution (T&D) capacity for the local grid. Industrial Info Resources offers more information on the Highland Solar project in its Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Power Project Database, where readers can find details--including construction schedules, investment values and necessary equipment--in a project report.

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), the largest subsidiary of NextEra, is preparing to begin construction on seven solar plants across Florida, each with a 74.5-MW capacity. The plants will use thin-film PV modules provided by First Solar Incorporated. Readers can learn more about each development from a detailed list of project reports.

The new capacity is consistent with FPL's recent growth in the Sunshine State, where it placed into service four new solar sites in the second quarter. "We remain on track to meet our full-year expectations to install approximately 900 MW of solar and over 1.4 gigawatts of battery storage, according to John Ketchum, the chief executive officer of NextEra, in a recent quarterly earnings-related conference call. "It's why FPL continues to own and operate more solar and storage than any utility in America."

While NextEra leads in overall investment for the coming quarter, Entergy Corporation is preparing to begin construction on the single largest project: the 350-MW Cypress Solar Station in Wright, Arkansas, which will include a 350-MW battery energy-storage system (BESS). Alphabet Incorporated, the parent company of Google, is footing about one-third of the facility's price tag, as it will supply energy to the same area of the power grid that will supply Google's West Memphis Data Center.

Readers can find more information in detailed project reports on Cypress Solar and the West Memphis Data Center.

By the Numbers

• About $23 billion: Total investment in U.S.-based solar-generation projects set to kick off from October through December
• 521.5 MW: Total capacity expected from FPL's seven solar-generation projects set to kick off across Florida in the fourth quarter
• 350 MW: Expected capacity of the single largest solar plant set to begin construction during this period, from Entergy

Texas Tops Investments by State

Texas leads all other U.S. states for fourth-quarter solar-generation kickoffs, according to Industrial Info Resources data. Nexus Renewable Power, which specializes in solar and battery-storage projects across the Lone Star State, is preparing to begin construction on its Hoke Solar Project in Leesville, which will generate 100 MW and feature 30 MW of storage. Readers can learn more from a detailed project report.

In the Texas Panhandle, Greenalia S.A. is moving forward with its Misae III Solar Plant in Childress, which is designed to generate 265 MW from PV panels provided by JinkoSolar Holding Company Limited. Greenalia completed work on the 265-MW Misae II earlier this year, and after Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners finished the 324-MW Misae I in 2020. Readers can learn more from detailed reports on Phase I, Phase II and Phase III.

Other states with a strong showing in solar investment include Ohio, where Leeward Renewable Energy, a subsidiary of OMERS Infrastructure Management Incorporated, is nearing construction on the 300-MW Harvey Solar Plant in Newark. Although not attached to a single dominant project, such as a data center, the Harvey plant is expected to support developments in the local tech and manufacturing sectors. Readers can learn more from a detailed project report.

The Industrial Info Resources GMI Project and Plant databases offer a full list of detailed reports for projects mentioned in this article, and a full list of related plant profiles.

Industrial Info Resources also offers a full list of reports for U.S.-based solar-generation projects that are set to begin construction in the fourth quarter.

Key Takeaways

• Entergy is preparing to begin construction on the single largest project set to kick off next quarter.
• NextEra accounts for more investment in kickoffs over this period than any other parent company.
• Texas leads all other U.S. states for fourth-quarter solar-generation kickoffs.

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About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news, and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing, and energy-related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified, and verified plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 trillion (USD).