Primo Brands Energizes Massive Solar Project at Maine Bottling Facility

HOLLIS, Maine – February 18, 2026 – In a significant move that underscores the growing synergy between industrial operations and renewable energy, Primo Brands has energized a new 13-megawatt DC solar project at its Poland Spring bottling facility. The sprawling ground-mounted array, developed in partnership with Onyx Renewables and PowerFlex, represents a major investment in sustainable operations and a powerful contribution to Maine's clean energy landscape.

The project is expected to generate more than 18 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity annually. This output will not only substantially reduce the facility's carbon footprint but also provide long-term predictability for its energy costs, a critical advantage in a volatile energy market. The system is projected to offset over 7,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, demonstrating a tangible commitment to environmental stewardship.

A New Power Paradigm for Industrial Giants

This project is more than just a collection of solar panels; it represents a strategic shift in how large-scale energy users manage their resources. The system is engineered as a fully "behind-the-meter," non-export array. This means the vast majority of the clean energy produced is consumed directly on-site by the bottling facility, maximizing efficiency and insulating the company from the price fluctuations of the conventional power grid.

At the heart of the project's financial structure is a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Under this model, Onyx Renewables financed, owns, and operates the solar installation, while Primo Brands agrees to purchase the electricity it generates at a predictable, locked-in rate. This arrangement is crucial as it allows Primo Brands to benefit from renewable energy without the substantial upfront capital investment or the operational complexities of managing a power plant. It’s a model that is gaining traction across the corporate world, enabling businesses to achieve sustainability goals while maintaining financial prudence.

“Projects like this represent the shift to a new power paradigm where businesses can take control of their energy future,” said Patty Rollin, Chief Commercial Officer of Onyx Renewables. “By adopting onsite solar, Primo Brands gains cost predictability and reliable clean power.”

This approach allows the beverage giant to focus on its core business of bottling and distribution while securing a clean, reliable energy source that supports operational efficiency and strengthens its energy resilience for decades to come.

Powering Maine's Ambitious Clean Energy Goals

The impact of the Hollis solar project extends far beyond the bottling facility's fence line. It serves as a flagship example of private industry actively contributing to ambitious public policy. Maine has established itself as a leader in climate action, with legislation mandating that 80% of the state's electricity come from renewable sources by 2030, and a recently updated goal of achieving a 100% clean energy supply by 2040.

Large-scale projects like this are essential building blocks for reaching those targets. The 18 million kWh generated annually by the Hollis array is a significant injection of clean power into the state’s energy mix, helping to displace fossil fuels and advance Maine’s energy transition. The project showcases how corporate sustainability initiatives can align perfectly with state-level environmental objectives, creating a powerful symbiotic relationship.

Local officials have praised the project as a model partnership that delivers multiple benefits. “It’s a win-win. Primo Brands brings clean, fresh water to the community… the solar panels are clean energy,” said Richard Morin, Town Manager for the Town of Hollis. “It’s a great partnership.” This sentiment reflects a broader understanding that such developments can support local infrastructure and jobs while advancing a cleaner future for the entire state.

The Collaborative Blueprint for Megawatt-Scale Renewables

The successful energization of a project of this magnitude was not the work of a single entity but the result of a carefully orchestrated partnership between three companies, each bringing a distinct specialization to the table.

PowerFlex, a prominent clean technology solutions company, served as the development and construction partner. Their team managed the complex, multi-year process from conception to completion, navigating permitting, interconnection with the grid, and the intricate engineering of the system. Their role as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) firm was foundational to bringing the physical project to life.

Onyx Renewables stepped in as the crucial financial and long-term operational partner. By providing the project financing and taking on the role of owner and operator, Onyx de-risked the project for Primo Brands. Onyx will continue to manage and maintain the system for the life of the agreement, ensuring it performs at peak efficiency.

Primo Brands, the facility owner and end-user, completed the trio by committing to purchase the power through the long-term PPA, providing the revenue stream that made the entire project financially viable.

“Projects like Hollis succeed when each partner brings deep specialization. PowerFlex develops and builds high-performance onsite solar, and Onyx provides the underwriting and long-term commitment that makes a project like this possible—together delivering clean, cost-predictable power for Primo Brands,” noted Nate McMurry, Chief Commercial Officer at PowerFlex. He added that the demand for projects at this scale is growing as more companies seek to reduce emissions and invest in resilient, distributed energy solutions.