Sunraycer Breaks Ground on Major Texas Solar and Battery Projects

DALLAS, TX – March 17, 2026 – Sunraycer Renewables has commenced construction on two large-scale solar and battery storage developments in Northeast Texas, a move set to inject significant new power into the state's strained energy grid while promising a substantial economic infusion for local rural communities. The company announced the groundbreaking of the Lupinus I & II projects in Hagansport and the Eagle Springs project in Lake Creek, which are located approximately 90 miles northeast of Dallas.

Combined, the facilities will generate over 620 megawatts (MWdc) of solar power and provide more than 475 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery energy storage. The massive Lupinus I & II facility will account for the bulk of this, with 520 MWdc of solar capacity paired with a 411 MWh battery system. The smaller Eagle Springs project will add 100 MWdc of solar and 66 MWh of storage. Construction is already underway at Eagle Springs, with commercial operations slated for late 2026, while the larger Lupinus site is expected to be completed in early 2028.

Bolstering a Power-Hungry Grid

These projects arrive at a critical juncture for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the state's grid operator. ERCOT faces projections of soaring electricity demand, potentially doubling by 2030, driven by rapid population growth, extreme weather events, and the proliferation of energy-intensive industries like data centers and manufacturing. The memory of the catastrophic 2021 Winter Storm Uri, which exposed deep vulnerabilities in the state's power infrastructure, continues to loom large.

While the 2021 blackouts were primarily caused by failures in the natural gas supply chain, the crisis underscored the urgent need for a more diverse and resilient energy portfolio. Solar and battery storage are seen as key components of this solution. Battery systems can store abundant solar energy generated during the day and dispatch it during evening peak demand or when the sun isn't shining, smoothing out intermittency and enhancing grid stability. Texas has become a national leader in this space, installing more battery storage than any other state in recent years, with total capacity growing over 4,000 percent since 2020.

"Breaking ground on Lupinus I & II and Eagle Springs marks an important milestone for Sunraycer as we continue to expand our renewable energy footprint in Texas," said David Lillefloren, Chief Executive Officer of Sunraycer, in a statement. "These projects reflect our commitment to delivering reliable energy while investing in the communities where we operate."

Local Jobs and Economic Promises

Beyond the megawatts, the developments promise a significant economic boost for the rural counties of Franklin and Delta. Sunraycer and its engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) partner, McCarthy Building Companies, project the creation of more than 200 local construction jobs. For small communities like Hagansport and Lake Creek, and the surrounding towns of Cooper, Sulphur Springs, and Paris, this influx of jobs and spending on local goods and services represents a major economic opportunity.

McCarthy, a 100 percent employee-owned firm with a deep portfolio in Texas, plans to leverage its U.S. Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship program to fill many of these roles. The program provides paid, on-the-job training for careers in the skilled energy trades, creating long-term career pathways. On similar Texas projects, McCarthy has aimed to hire dozens of apprentices, a strategy bolstered by federal incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act.

"With Lupinus I & II and Eagle Springs, we're deepening our long-term investment in Texas communities," said Dhruv Patel, president of McCarthy's Renewable Energy group. "Together with Sunraycer, we're committed to delivering these projects safely, supporting local businesses in both counties, and helping people build lasting careers in the energy industry."

Navigating Community Concerns

The promise of clean energy and economic growth, however, is not without local friction. In Franklin County, the site of the Lupinus project, a vocal contingent of residents has organized in opposition to the proliferation of large-scale solar farms. Petitions against such developments have gathered over 1,100 signatures, highlighting a deep-seated apprehension about the changing landscape.

Local concerns are multifaceted, ranging from environmental worries over deforestation and habitat disruption to fears of land and water contamination from damaged panels. The "industrialization" of the pastoral countryside and the loss of valuable agricultural land are also primary points of contention. Some residents express a sentiment that their rural land is being exploited to power distant urban centers like Dallas, with little direct benefit to their own communities. This opposition has been fueled by past incidents in the region, including environmental violations from construction runoff at other solar sites.

Frustration has also been directed at the state level, with residents feeling they lack regulatory power. An attempt by Franklin County commissioners to enact a 180-day moratorium on solar development was rescinded after the Texas Attorney General's office advised that counties lack the authority to impose such bans. To bridge this gap, the project team plans community engagement initiatives, including career fairs, fundraisers for local emergency services, and technology demonstrations.

The Strategy Behind the Sun

For Sunraycer, these Texas projects are a key part of a broader, sophisticated business strategy. As an Independent Power Producer (IPP) backed by private credit manager Crayhill Capital Management, the Annapolis-based company is rapidly becoming a major player in the U.S. renewable energy landscape. With a development pipeline reportedly nearing 4 gigawatts of solar and storage projects, Sunraycer specializes in acquiring and developing utility-scale assets.

The company's "Accelerant Program" provides crucial capital and expertise to smaller developers, helping to navigate financial hurdles and bring projects to fruition. This owner-operator model has been fueled by significant financing, including a recent $475 million project financing facility. These Texas projects also highlight the evolving energy market, where large industrial power users are driving demand. Sunraycer has already executed agreements with major corporations like Meta (formerly Facebook) for its Texas battery projects, demonstrating its capacity to serve the immense power needs of the data center industry.

The construction will be managed by McCarthy Building Companies, an industry veteran that has built over 114 renewable energy projects nationwide, delivering more than 17 GW of clean energy and 9 GWh of battery storage. This partnership brings extensive technical experience to the complexities of constructing and integrating such large-scale facilities into the Texas grid.