CleanChoice Energy Triples Capacity with Major NC Solar Acquisition

WASHINGTON – February 18, 2026 – CleanChoice Energy, a U.S. renewable energy supplier known for its direct-to-consumer model, has announced a landmark acquisition that will triple its electricity generation capacity and mark its largest investment to date. The company is acquiring two utility-scale solar projects in eastern North Carolina, solidifying a major strategic expansion into the Southeast.

The projects, named Sumac and Sweetleaf, are located in Bertie and Halifax counties, respectively. Together, they are designed to generate a combined 222.2 megawatts (MWdc) of clean electricity. This acquisition catapults CleanChoice's total owned generation capacity to nearly 332 MW, a significant leap for the company as it evolves from primarily a retail supplier to a vertically integrated energy provider that both builds and delivers power.

“The Sumac and Sweetleaf projects represent a pivotal step in our evolution into a fully integrated clean energy company that builds, owns, and delivers renewable power directly to customers,” said Zoë Gamble, President of CleanChoice. “As electricity demand accelerates nationwide, we’re investing in high-capacity solar infrastructure that strengthens grid reliability, expands domestic energy supply, and gives more households access to locally sourced, pollution-free power.”

A Strategic Leap in the Energy Market

Founded in 2012, CleanChoice Energy built its brand on a 'farm-to-table' concept for clean energy, connecting residential and commercial customers with renewable power sources. This acquisition signifies a deeper commitment to the 'farm' side of that equation. By owning more of the generation infrastructure, the company gains greater control over its supply and costs, a crucial advantage in the competitive renewable energy market.

The move into North Carolina is particularly strategic. The state ranks fifth in the nation for installed solar capacity, with over 9,700 MW online as of late 2025. Its mature solar market and supportive, though evolving, regulatory framework make it a prime location for large-scale development. These new projects will join CleanChoice's existing portfolio, which includes an operational solar farm in Pennsylvania and other projects under construction in Pennsylvania and New York.

The company states the new projects will generate enough electricity to power approximately 130,000 homes annually. While calculation methods for such equivalencies can vary, data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration for North Carolina suggests a more conservative estimate, with 1 MW typically powering between 110 and 120 homes. The discrepancy highlights the complex factors in projecting a solar farm's output, including capacity factors, which for North Carolina solar projects averaged between 21.5% and 27.6% in recent years.

Bolstering the PJM Grid

The Sumac and Sweetleaf projects are slated to connect to the PJM Interconnection, the largest grid operator in North America, which serves over 65 million people across 13 states and the District of Columbia. The addition of 222.2 MW of reliable solar power is a welcome development for a grid system facing the dual challenges of retiring fossil fuel plants and a massive backlog of new projects seeking to connect.

As of late 2022, PJM had a queue of roughly 202 gigawatts of renewable energy projects awaiting study and approval, leading to average interconnection delays of nearly four years. In response, PJM has been reforming its process to a 'first-ready, first-served' model to clear the logjam. The advancement of the Sumac and Sweetleaf projects, which began their development journey in 2017, demonstrates the persistence required to bring large-scale renewables online.

The projects were acquired from Geenex, a Charlotte-based developer with a significant track record in the PJM region, having filed over 12 GW of energy projects since 2012. “These projects represent years of strategic development work designed to deliver reliable, high-capacity energy resources to the PJM grid,” said Emily Williams, CEO of Geenex. “As electricity demand continues to accelerate, it is essential that well-sited, community-supported projects move efficiently from development into construction.”

Community Investment and 'Ecovoltaics'

Beyond generating power, CleanChoice Energy is emphasizing its commitment to the local communities and environment in Halifax and Bertie counties. The company has pledged a combined $350,000 to support local food banks, schools, and educational scholarship opportunities.

Furthermore, the projects will be developed using the principles of 'ecovoltaics,' an approach that integrates ecological benefits into the design of a solar farm. This includes practical measures such as installing wildlife-friendly fencing that allows smaller animals to pass through, planting pollinator-friendly seed mixes under the panels to support local bee and insect populations, and placing bird and bat houses on the periphery. Critically, the company has committed to no tree clearing, ensuring the projects are sited on land that does not require deforestation.

These environmental considerations align with North Carolina's own standards, which encourage solar farm designs that protect local ecosystems and manage stormwater naturally. Construction on the Sumac and Sweetleaf projects is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with the goal of connecting to the grid and beginning full operation in 2028, contributing to the state's and the nation's renewable energy goals.