While the desert sun has always beaten down on Arizona’s vast terrains, that relentless energy is finally being put to good use. The Box Canyon Solar Project near Florence, Arizona isn’t just another solar farm—it’s a 300MW behemoth that’s changing the energy game in the Southwest. Launched in June 2025, it’s the first step in an ambitious 2.5GW portfolio planned by BrightNight and Cordelio Power. About time, right?
Construction kicked off back in November 2023, backed by serious cash. We’re talking $674 million worth of serious—including $260 million in tax-equity finance from JP Morgan and Capital One, plus a $414 million construction credit facility. Money talks, and in this case, it’s speaking renewable volumes.
The numbers are impressive. Over 900,000 MWh of clean electricity annually. Power for decades—forty-plus years, to be exact. It’s serving the Southwest Public Power Agency in their largest renewable procurement ever. With all the data centers and industrial expansion happening in Arizona, they’re gonna need every megawatt. This project exemplifies the broader trend where solar and wind are on track to surpass coal generation by 2025.
900,000 MWh of clean power yearly—enough juice to fuel Arizona’s tech boom for the next four decades.
This isn’t just about keeping the lights on. The project pumps $134 million in wages and property taxes into the economy. The local county gets a $180 million boost. Arizona’s State Land Trust scores $65 million in lease payments, funding schools, universities, and hospitals. They’re even bankrolling scholarships for 50 students to become electricians. Not too shabby.
It’s big. Like, really big. The largest renewable project for SPPA and among the biggest in the whole Southwest. The project is being developed under the leadership of CEO Martin Hermann, who brings extensive experience in the renewable energy sector. Arizona is becoming a clean energy powerhouse, attracting tech companies with sustainability commitments. The project was completed in an impressive 15 months timeframe, showcasing the team’s rapid development capabilities.
BrightNight and Cordelio aren’t stopping here. This project is just the appetizer in their multi-gigawatt feast planned for Arizona. With Meta and other tech giants hungry for green power in the state, this sun-soaked venture is just getting started. The Southwest’s renewable transformation isn’t coming—it’s already here.
References
- https://www.pv-tech.org/brightnight-cordelio-power-power-300mw-solar-pv-plant-in-arizona/
- https://www.power-technology.com/news/box-canyon-solar-project-operation/
- https://inspenet.com/en/noticias/brightnight-and-cordelio-power-break-ground-on-300-mw-solar-plant-in-arizona/
- https://media.srpnet.com/rsted-and-srp-celebrate-commencement-of-largest-co-located-solar-and-battery-storage-project-on-salt-river-project-power-grid/
- https://www.pv-tech.org/orsted-srp-commence-operations-at-300mw-solar-plus-storage-project-in-arizona/
