Persimmon Energy Center
Investing in the community of northern Calcasieu Parish
The Persimmon Energy Center is a Proposed Energy Project in
Calcasieu Parish.
Orion Renewable Energy Group began developing the project with our local landowner partners in 2019. This project will generate up to 1,000 Megawatts (MW) of critical and affordable energy that will support future local and regional economic growth.
Beyond energy production, the project will generate hundreds of millions in local property tax dollars, benefiting local emergency services, recreation, and various others that serve the community. Additionally, participating landowners will gain a stable income source, helping them sustain their properties for future generations.
About the Persimmon Energy Center
The solar and battery storage project is designed with environmental conservation in mind. The project will adhere to and exceed the ordinance standards adopted by Calcasieu Parish (as well as the Louisiana State Standards). Some key elements of the ordinance and Orion’s development best practices include:
- Greenspace buffers with trees and shrubs between the project fenceline and nearby homes and public roads.
- Installation of ground cover vegetation that will help reduce soil erosion, water runoff, and maintain soil health over the operational life of the project.
- The proposed extensive landscape screening will also be installed and maintained by the project to help blend into the existing landscape, provide wildlife corridors and support additional wildlife habitat.
- Local on-site operations and maintenance staff as well as 24/7 remote monitoring.
- Agreements with the Parish regulating construction traffic and any necessary road improvements to accommodate construction that the Project will fully pay for.
- A site-specific drainage design to ensure existing drainage conditions are either maintained or improved during construction and operations, as well as after project decommissioning.
- A decommissioning agreement mandating the removal of project facilities after operations cease and the restoration of the land is fully paid for by the project.
- Per Parish and State regulations, financial security will be in place from the start of construction and maintained through project decommissioning to ensure funds are in place to pay for removal and restoration under any scenario.
More information will continue to be added to this website as the project development process progresses.
Investment in Calcasieu Parish.
In local tax dollars over
35 years of operations.
Enough electricity to power ~200,000 avg. Louisiana homes annually.
Orion’s Solar
Neighbor program
Orion wants to share the economic benefits of the project directly with the projects neighbors. Our solar neighbor program (SNP) offers annual payments to residences within ⅓ of a mile from the project that are not owned by a participating landowner.
Beginning at the start of construction, payments continue annually for the life of the project, increase every 10 years and stay with property so that the current and future owner will receive the benefit. The SNP is completely voluntary and has no strings attached. Those who participate are under no obligation to the project.
Best Practices for Solar Development
The project has a deep commitment to delivering reliable and affordable energy, as well as maximizing the positive environmental and community impacts of our projects. We are intentional with every detail, from the fencing we choose to the vegetation we plant. We want our projects to be great additions to the local community.
Environment and aesthetics
- Incorporation of extensive greenspace with trees and shrubs between the project fenceline and homes and public roads.
- Installing wildlife friendly game fencing—consistent with the local aesthetic of the area—around the project, as opposed to chain link fencing, that will allow wildlife access across the site.
- Planting vegetation under and around the solar panels, with a seed mix customized for the local area. This vegetation will help to increase biodiversity and improve soil health.
- The involved properties are under viticulture (timber harvest) at this time. The area can and has been logged every 5, 15 or 25 years. The trees will or have already been removed prior to development of the project under natural harvest timelines. For a width of approximately 50 feet the existing trees/growth along adjacent roads/property lines will be preserved and maintained for a visual screening buffer.
Careful planning for long-term success
- Designing the project to blend into the existing landscape and to maintain soil, water, and air quality.
- Working with the community to address concerns, help meet community needs, and provide long-term economic investment that the entire Parish will benefit from.
- Unlike almost any other type of development such as residential, commercial or industrial projects, the project’s facilities will be removed at the end of its operational life and the land restored.
- Proactive coordination and planning with emergency services prior to construction and during operations for the life of the project. In addition to providing an extensive emergency response plan and providing training to local emergency services, the project will be a long-term financial resource to local emergency responders that will benefit the entire community.
Supporting Calcasieu Parish:
By engaging local stakeholders, supporting economic development and aligning with community-driven philanthropic goals, we create projects that not only generate renewable energy, but deliver meaningful long-term benefits to the people and places we serve. The Persimmon Energy Project will create more than 400 well-paying jobs during construction, prioritizing local hires. The project is estimated to contribute approximately $470 million in new tax revenue for the local government over its lifetime.
The success of our projects begins with building strong, lasting partnerships with local partners. We have thoughtfully designed a solar neighbor program (described here on this website) and community benefits package to have a beneficial impact to the community.
Why Solar?
Solar generation, combined with energy storage adds a reliable and affordable resource to our country’s energy mix. Solar’s fuel is free and not reliant on sources that are vulnerable to global market fluctuations. Because of these factors, solar helps to stabilize electricity prices, making it an ideal part of the U.S. energy mix.
Solar farms are quiet, clean neighbors.
With a vegetation management plan such as the one that will be implemented at this project, studies have shown that solar farms can meaningfully increase wildlife populations and biodiversity.
Solar farms can help strengthen rural economies by creating local jobs, contributing significant annual revenue for local governments, providing dependable revenue to landowners and immediate neighbors.
Do You Have Any Questions or Comments for Our Team?
Reach out via email or phone and we will follow up within 72 hours.
Email:
[email protected]Phone:
(337) 446-0657