Longroad Energy’s $2bn Sun Pond solar and storage project in Maricopa County, Arizona by Longroad Energy begins operations. The facility includes a 111MW-direct current (MWdc) solar component and an 85MW-alternating current (MWac)/340MW-hour storage component. It is part of the broader Longroad Sun Streams Complex which combines four projects totaling nearly 1.6GW of capacity. Furthermore, contracts via power purchase agreements have been secured with Ava Community Energy and San José Clean Energy for the facility’s output. Longroad Energy chief investment officer and co-founder Charles Spiliotis said: “With Sun Pond now operational, Longroad is pleased to be expanding access to renewable energy for customers in the greater Bay Area. “Sun Pond’s battery storage system also adds firm, flexible capacity – ensuring low-cost, clean power is available when the grid needs it most.” The project is expected to generate enough electricity annually to power nearly 35,000 US homes. The neighbouring state of Texas is also advancing its own major solar projects such as the 600MW Hornet solar plant in Swisher County, Texas. Since its completion in 2025, the plant generates enough electricity to power 160,000 homes in the state yearly.
Scope of Implementation on the Sun Pond Solar Project in Arizona
The Sun Pond solar project in Arizona includes various phases, I to III projects. It is managed by Longroad Energy in unincorporated Maricopa County, Arizona. It is involves constructing 80-acre solar energy facilities paired with battery energy storage. The implementation scope focuses on rezoning from rural-43 to industrial. It is developing photovoltaic solar arrays, and integrating with the grid near the Palo Verde Generating Station.
Here is more information about the project:
- Location: East of S 351st Ave, North of Baseline Rd, South of S 350th Dr, West of W Fremont Rd, Arizona
- Facility Type: Solar energy generation with integrated battery energy storage systems (BESS).
- Land Use Change: Requesting a comprehensive plan amendment to change land use from rural densities to utilities.
- Zoning Action: Zone change with overlay from Rural-43 to IND-2 IUPD (Industrial Use Permit District).
- Developer: LSH Land Holdings, LLC
The project, labeled under case numbers CPA2023003 and Z2023024, aims to improve energy capacity in the area near a major existing generating station. It is also expected reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 145,000t each year. This equates to removing nearly 34,000 petrol-powered vehicles from use. Construction was managed by McCarthy Building Companies, which employed more than 300 workers at its peak. Operations and also maintenance will be managed by NovaSource Power Services and Longroad Energy’s affiliate, Longroad Energy Services.
Project Factsheet:
- Project Name: Sun Pond Solar and Storage Project
- Location: Maricopa County, Arizona, USA
- Estimated Investment Value: $2 Billion
- Project Type: Solar PV + Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Timeline
- Construction Phase: Completed prior to 2026
- 2026: Project officially begins operations
- Operational Phase: Active and also supplying power under PPAs
Site & Scale
- Solar Capacity: 111 MWdc
- Storage Capacity: 85 MWac / 340 MWh
- Part of: Longroad Sun Streams Complex (~1.6 GW total capacity)
- Land Area: Approx. 80 acres per phase
Project Teams
- Developer: Longroad Energy
- Land Entity: LSH Land Holdings LLC
- EPC Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies
- O&M Providers: NovaSource Power Services, Longroad Energy Services
- Offtakers: Ava Community Energy, San José Clean Energy
Infrastructure Scope
- Utility-scale photovoltaic solar arrays
- Integrated battery energy storage system (BESS)
- Also grid interconnection near Palo Verde Generating Station
- Multi-phase development (Phases I–III)
- Supporting infrastructure including inverters, substations, and also transmission links
Strategic Objectives
- Expand renewable energy supply to California markets
- Provide firm and also dispatchable clean power
- Also reduce CO₂ emissions (~145,000 tonnes annually)
- Support grid reliability with flexible energy capacity
Challenges
- Land rezoning and permitting (Rural-43 to industrial use)
- Grid integration and transmission coordination
- Also managing large-scale solar + storage operations
- Balancing supply with contracted demand obligations
Current Status
- Project operational and delivering clean energy
- Also itegrated into Longroad’s broader Sun Streams portfolio
- Supplying electricity under long-term power purchase agreements
- Fully constructed with ongoing operations and also maintenance in place
