Press Release Archives

Connectgen’s South Ripley Solar Project Receives Approval From the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting

April 24, 2023April 21, 2023 by Louis Pitre

April 21, 2023 (Houston, TX) – ConnectGen announced today that its proposed South Ripley Solar Project has received a final siting permit from the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES). Based on a comprehensive review of the record, ORES found that the Project complies with Executive Law 94-c and avoids, minimizes, or mitigates, to the maximum extent practicable, potential significant adverse environmental impacts to the surrounding area.

The South Ripley Solar Project is a proposed 270 MW solar facility with a 20 MW battery energy storage component located in the Town of Ripley, Chautauqua County, New York, which will provide significant long-term benefits to the Town and County for several decades. Through the approved PILOT and Host Community Agreements, the Project is expected to contribute over $60 million in increased revenue to local taxing jurisdictions over its 30-plus year lifespan. In addition, the Project is expected to create up to 200 family-wage jobs during construction.

“We want to thank ORES staff for their comprehensive review of our application, as well as state leaders and NYSERDA for their continued bold leadership in decarbonizing electricity supply,” Caton Fenz, Chief Executive Officer of ConnectGen said. “We appreciate ORES’ recognition of our extensive efforts to minimize and mitigate the environmental footprint of the project, and we look forward to bringing the South Ripley Solar Project over the finish line and delivering economic benefits to the Town of Ripley and Chautauqua County for the next several decades.”

This approval culminates a multi-year, detailed analysis and review of the biological, cultural, and socioeconomical effects of the Project. To further protect important resources in the Town of Ripley, ConnectGen has committed to implementing a Final Forest Clearing and Mitigation Plan in coordination with the Town of Ripley and State of New York to minimize and mitigate potential impacts to local forests, including the preservation of existing forested lands within the Town of Ripley.

The South Ripley Solar Project has executed contracts with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities. Through these contracts, the Project will contribute a significant amount of renewable energy to assist the State of New York in achieving its Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal of obtaining 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, supplying enough electricity to power more than 55,000 average New York homes annually.

###

About Connectgen

ConnectGen is a multi-technology renewable energy platform dedicated to best-in-class greenfield development, origination, execution and operations. ConnectGen has 139 net MW in operations and a portfolio of over 16,000 MW of wind, solar and energy storage projects in development across the United States. For more information, please visit www.connectgenllc.com. ConnectGen is a subsidiary of 547 Energy, Quantum Energy Partners’ clean energy platform company.

About Quantum Energy Partners / 547 Energy

547 Energy aims to maximize value for its investors by partnering with leading entrepreneurs who are driving growth in the clean energy economy. To date, 547 Energy has invested in ConnectGen LLC, BlueFloat Energy LLC, Aer Soleir LLC, NetOn LLC and certain affiliates of ENORA S.A. 547 Energy was founded and is led by industry veteran Gabriel Alonso and is backed by Quantum Energy Partners, a leading provider of capital to the global energy industry. For more information on 547 Energy, please visit www.547energy.com, email info@547energy.com, or contact Travis Salinas at tsalinas@547energy.com.

Founded in 1998, Quantum Energy Partners is a leading global provider of private equity, credit, structured capital and venture capital to the responsibly sourced energy and energy transition and decarbonization sectors, having managed together with its affiliates more than $21 billion in capital commitments since inception. For more information on Quantum, please visit www.quantumep.com or contact Michael Dalton at +1-713-452-2110.

Logan County Board Approves ConnectGen’s Pike Creek Wind Project

December 19, 2022December 19, 2022 by Louis Pitre

December 19, 2022 (Houston, TX) – ConnectGen announced today that its Pike Creek Wind Project received a final Conditional Use Permit approval from the Logan County Board in late November. The Pike Creek Wind Project is an approximately 200 MW wind facility that will consist of an estimated 45 turbines located in Logan County near Middletown and Elkhart, Illinois. Once operational, the project will supply enough electricity to power more than 60,000 homes annually.

“We appreciate the support of the Logan County Board, participating landowners, and local stakeholders for the Pike Creek Wind Project,” Caton Fenz, Chief Executive Officer of ConnectGen said. “Illinois has some of the best wind resources in the country, and we are excited for the opportunity to turn that resource into tangible benefits for Logan County and its residents. ConnectGen is committed to the communities in which we have a presence, and we look forward to being a good community partner here for years to come.”

The Pike Creek Wind Project represents a major capital investment in Logan County and will provide significant long-term benefits to the County for several decades. Once constructed, the Project is expected to contribute approximately $60 million in increased revenue to local taxing jurisdictions over its 30-plus year lifespan, roughly $40 million of which will go to the Mt. Pulaski Community Schools, Lincoln Community High School, New Holland-Middletown Elementary School, and West-Lincoln-Broadwell Elementary School. In addition, the Project is expected to create up to 125 family-wage construction jobs as well as 10 long-term operations jobs.

###

About ConnectGen

ConnectGen is a multi-technology renewable energy platform dedicated to best-in-class greenfield development, origination, execution and operations. ConnectGen has 139 net MW in operations and a portfolio of over 20,000 MW of wind, solar and energy storage projects in development across the United States. For more information, please visit www.connectgenllc.com. ConnectGen is a subsidiary of 547 Energy, Quantum Energy Partners’ clean energy platform company.

About Quantum Energy Partners / 547 Energy

Founded in 1998, Quantum Energy Partners is a leading global provider of private equity, credit, structured capital and venture capital to the responsibly sourced energy and energy transition & decarbonization sectors (what we call the “Sustainable Energy Ecosystem”), having managed together with its affiliates more than $19 billion in capital commitments since inception. For more information on Quantum, please visit www.quantumep.com or contact Michael Dalton at +1-713-452-2110.

Western Area Power Administration Issues Record of Decision for Interconnection of ConnectGen’s 504 MW Wind Project

December 19, 2022July 19, 2022 by Louis Pitre

July 19, 2022 (Houston, TX) – ConnectGen announced today that the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) approving two interconnection requests associated with ConnectGen’s Rail Tie Wind Project, a proposed 504 MW wind energy generation project located in Albany County, Wyoming. The ROD follows the November 2021 release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and documents the completion of the federal authorization to interconnect the project to the WAPA transmission grid, which was concluded after an extensive environmental review per the National Environmental Policy Act.

“The Record of Decision is a major milestone for the Rail Tie Wind Project. It marks the completion of WAPA’s multi-year environmental and technical review, including a detailed analysis of the physical, biological, cultural, and socioeconomic effects of the project,” Caton Fenz, Chief Executive Officer of ConnectGen, said. “We are pleased that WAPA recognized our considerable efforts to minimize these effects, and we thank the WAPA staff for their efforts and thoughtful review over the past two and a half years.”

“Connecting more renewable energy projects to the grid is a critical step in modernizing America’s energy infrastructure and meeting our nation’s growing energy needs,” said WAPA Administrator and CEO Tracey LeBeau. “Our technical analyses found available capacity on WAPA’s system and the comprehensive analysis in the EIS provided environmental impact information, both of which informed the interconnection Record of Decision.”

WAPA’s ROD issuance adds to the roster of major federal, state, and local approvals obtained by the Rail Tie Wind Project. The project previously received a Wind Energy Conversion System permit from the Albany County Board of County Commissioners as well as Section 109 permit approval from the State of Wyoming Industrial Siting Council.

The Rail Tie Wind Project will represent a capital investment of more than $500 million in Albany County and the State of Wyoming, and will generate approximately $130 million in state and local tax revenues during construction and over the life of the project. Twenty percent of the project is sited on state land, and annual wind lease payments to the Office of State Lands and Investments will fund Wyoming’s public schools and institutions. The project will support at least 20 permanent operations jobs as well as hundreds of jobs during construction and will generate millions of dollars of new local economic activity through the procurement of goods and services in the area.

###

ABOUT CONNECTGEN

ConnectGen is a multi-technology renewable energy platform dedicated to best-in-class greenfield development, origination, execution and operations. ConnectGen has 139 MW in operations and a portfolio of over 20,000 MW of wind, solar and energy storage projects in development across the United States. For more information, please visit www.connectgenllc.com. ConnectGen is a subsidiary of 547 Energy, Quantum Energy Partners’ clean energy platform company.

ABOUT QUANTUM ENERGY PARTNERS / 547 ENERGY

547 Energy aims to maximize value for its investors by partnering with leading entrepreneurs who are driving growth in the clean energy economy. To date, 547 Energy has invested in ConnectGen LLC, BlueFloat Energy LLC, Aer Soleir LLC, NetOn LLC and certain affiliates of ENORA S.A. 547 Energy was founded and is led by industry veteran Gabriel Alonso and is backed by Quantum Energy Partners, a leading provider of capital to the global energy industry. For more information on 547 Energy, please visit www.547energy.com, email info@547energy.com, or contact Travis Salinas at tsalinas@547energy.com.

Founded in 1998, Quantum Energy Partners is a leading global provider of private equity, credit, structured capital and venture capital to the responsibly sourced energy and energy transition & decarbonization sectors (what we call the “Sustainable Energy Ecosystem”), having managed together with its affiliates more than $18 billion in capital commitments since inception. For more information on Quantum, please visit www.quantumep.com or contact Michael Dalton at +1-713-452-2110.

Connectgen South Ripley Solar Project Permit Application Deemed Complete By New York State Office Of Renewable Energy Siting

April 26, 2022 by Louis Pitre

April 26, 2022 (Houston, TX) – ConnectGen announced today that the application for its proposed South Ripley Solar Project has been deemed complete by the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES). The South Ripley Solar Project is a proposed 270 MW solar facility with a 20 MW battery energy storage component under development in the Town of Ripley and Chautauqua County, New York.

“This is an exciting milestone for the South Ripley Solar Project, following years of comprehensive surveys and dedicated public outreach,” Caton Fenz, Chief Executive Officer of ConnectGen said. “We want to thank the ORES staff, who invested a tremendous amount of effort to reviewing our application, and we are excited for the opportunity to help New York State further its ambitious energy goals while bringing long-term economic development to the western part of the state.”

Determination of application completeness is a key step towards final permit approval under the renewable energy siting process established by Section 94-c of Executive Law. The next steps are for the South Ripley Solar Project to receive a draft permit, which involves further state agency review, followed by additional public participation prior to final permit issuance.

The South Ripley Solar Project will provide significant long-term benefits to the Town of Ripley and Chautauqua County for several decades. Through the approved PILOT and Host Community Agreements, the Project is expected to contribute over $60 million in increased revenue to local taxing jurisdictions over its 30-plus year lifespan. In addition, the Project is expected to create up to 200 family-wage construction jobs as well as supply enough electricity to power more than 55,000 average New York homes annually. The Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter recently endorsed the Project after a thorough review of the Project’s wildlife impact mitigation practices and community benefits.

###

ABOUT CONNECTGEN

ConnectGen is a multi-technology renewable energy platform dedicated to best-in-class greenfield development, origination, execution and operations. ConnectGen has 139 net MW in operations and a portfolio of over 20,000 MW of wind, solar and energy storage projects in development across the United States. For more information, please visit www.connectgenllc.com. ConnectGen is a subsidiary of 547 Energy, Quantum Energy Partners’ clean energy platform company.

ABOUT QUANTUM ENERGY PARTNERS / 547 ENERGY

547 Energy aims to maximize value for its investors by partnering with leading entrepreneurs who are driving growth in the clean energy economy. To date, 547 Energy has invested in ConnectGen LLC, BlueFloat Energy LLC, Aer Soleir LLC, NetOn LLC and certain affiliates of ENORA S.A. 547 Energy was founded and is led by industry veteran Gabriel Alonso and is backed by Quantum Energy Partners, a leading provider of capital to the global energy industry. For more information on 547 Energy, please visit www.547energy.com, email info@547energy.com, or contact Travis Salinas at tsalinas@547energy.com.

Founded in 1998, Quantum Energy Partners is a leading global provider of private equity, credit, structured capital and venture capital to the responsibly sourced energy and energy transition & decarbonization sectors (what we call the “Sustainable Energy Ecosystem”), having managed together with its affiliates more than $18 billion in capital commitments since inception. For more information on Quantum, please visit www.quantumep.com or contact Michael Dalton at +1-713-452-2110.

ConnectGen’s South Ripley Solar Project Signs An Agreement With the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities

January 28, 2022November 17, 2020 by Louis Pitre

November 17, 2020 (Houston, TX) – ConnectGen LLC (“ConnectGen”) is pleased to announce that a wholly owned subsidiary has signed a 10-year agreement with the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities to sell Tier-1 Renewable Energy Credits (“RECs”) produced by the South Ripley Solar Project. Each REC represents the environmental attributes of one megawatt hour of electricity generated from a renewable resource, such as solar or wind.

The South Ripley Solar Project is a planned 270 megawatt (MW) alternating current, photovoltaic solar energy facility that will be located in the town of Ripley in Chautauqua County, New York. Additionally, the development will include a 20 MW battery storage component. The Project is currently expected to start construction as early as 2022. Once constructed, the Project will provide more than $20 million in tax revenues to the Town of Ripley and Chautauqua County over the Project’s operational life.

This is the second REC purchase agreement that ConnectGen has signed to sell RECs that will be generated by the South Ripley Solar Project. In March 2020, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (“NYSERDA”) announced a 20-year contract award for the Project through the agency’s 2019 solicitation for large-scale renewables.

Caton Fenz, CEO of ConnectGen said, “We are pleased to contract with the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities for the sale of renewable energy credits and to help them meet the state’s ambitious clean energy goals. This agreement, along with the NYSERDA award, show that there is a growing demand for renewable energy across the state of New York. We look forward to continuing to safely and responsibly develop the South Ripley Solar Project, which will both help New York State achieve 70 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030 and bring decades of economic benefits to the Town of Ripley and Chautauqua County.”

“We are very satisfied to have reached a contractual agreement with ConnectGen,” stated Jamestown Board of Public Utilities General Manager David L. Leathers. “To have such a large-scale solar and storage project planned for construction in our County is extremely significant, and the Jamestown BPU is happy to be able to procure some of its required customer-funded REC’s from a local project.”

“This ten-year contract represents a modest commitment that increases our options of purchasing RECs under the New York State mandated renewable energy program and adds to the BPU’s existing portfolio, which is already over ninety percent clean, renewable energy,” continues Leathers. “We appreciate the efforts and professionalism of the ConnectGen team and look forward to the project becoming a reality in a few short years.”

ConnectGen LLC is a subsidiary of 547 Energy, Quantum Energy Partners’ clean energy platform company.

###

ABOUT CONNECTGEN

Founded in 2018, ConnectGen’s strategy is to apply its proven ability to develop, construct and operate clean energy assets to create a multi-technology portfolio of generation and storage projects across North America. The company currently has 139 MW of solar projects in operations and is developing over 8,000 MW of wind, solar and energy storage projects across the United States. For more information, please visit www.connectgenllc.com.

ABOUT QUANTUM ENERGY PARTNERS / 547 ENERGY

Founded in 1998, Quantum Energy Partners is a leading provider of private equity capital to the global energy industry, having managed together with its affiliates more than $17 billion in equity commitments since inception. For more information on Quantum, please visit www.quantumep.com or contact Michael Dalton at (713) 452-2110.

547 Energy is the clean energy platform of Quantum Energy Partners. To date, 547 Energy has invested in ConnectGen (USA),ENORA S.A. (Greece), and BlueFloat Energy (offshore wind). 547 Energy was founded and is led by industry veteran Gabriel Alonso. For more information on 547 Energy, please email info@547energy.com.

ABOUT THE JAMESTOWN BPU

Beginning operations in 1891 and formally established in 1923, the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities in Jamestown, New York, is a municipally-owned utility and is one of the largest generating public power utilities in New York State. Its mission is to provide environmentally sound, efficient, cost-effective electric, water, solid waste, wastewater and district heating services while actively encouraging the economic growth and development of its community.

The Jamestown BPU serves the utility needs of the City of Jamestown, the Villages

Media Contact:
Erin Szalkowski
Erin@InnovantPR.com
713-412-6436

ConnectGen Closes Financing with CoBank ACB and NORD/LB

January 7, 2021May 19, 2020 by ConnectGen

May 19, 2020 (Houston, TX) – ConnectGen LLC (“ConnectGen”) has closed a 14.5-year term loan for its 50% interest in a portfolio of 278 megawatts (MW) of operating solar projects. CoBank ACB (“CoBank”) and Norddeutsche Landesbank (“NORD/LB”) served as Joint Lead Arrangers on the financing. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ConnectGen develops renewable energy and energy storage projects across North America. The company is backed by Quantum Energy Partners, a leading provider of private equity capital to the global energy industry.

“We are pleased to partner with CoBank and NORD/LB to close this financing,” said Caton Fenz, Chief Executive Officer of ConnectGen. “They are two of the leading banks in financing renewable energy, and we appreciate their vote of confidence in these projects and our growing platform, particularly during these challenging times.”

ConnectGen partnered with EDP Renewables North America to acquire the portfolio of three solar projects last year from First Solar. The three projects – Windhub A (20 MW), Sunshine Valley (104 MW) and Sunstreams I (154 MW) – were built by First Solar using First Solar panels, and all have 15-year power purchase agreements with Southern California Edison Company (BBB/Baa2).

“CoBank is in the business of supporting quality sponsors with quality projects,” said Michael Gee, Managing Director at CoBank. “We are pleased to participate in this loan and to partner with ConnectGen and Quantum.”

“NORD/LB is delighted to support ConnectGen on this transaction,” said Mike McCarthy, Senior Director at NORD/LB. “ConnectGen is growing quickly, and we look forward to working with the company on many future transactions.”

Founded in 2018, ConnectGen’s strategy is to apply its proven ability to develop, construct and operate clean energy assets to create a multi-technology portfolio of generation and storage projects. The company currently has 139 MW of solar projects in operations and is developing over 4,000 MW of wind, solar and energy storage projects across North America. ConnectGen LLC is a subsidiary of 547 Energy. 547 Energy is Quantum Energy Partners’ clean energy platform company.

###

ABOUT Quantum Energy Partners / 547 Energy

547 Energy is the clean energy platform of Quantum Energy Partners. To date, 547 Energy has invested in ConnectGen (USA) and ENORA S.A. (Greece). 547 Energy was founded and is led by industry veteran Gabriel Alonso. For more information on 547 Energy, please email info@547energy.com.

ABOUT COBANK

CoBank is a $158 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides commercial loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 70,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country. For more information, go to www.cobank.com.

ABOUT NORD/LB

Headquartered in Hannover, Germany and with offices in New York, London, and Singapore, Nord/LB is a leading global project finance energy and infrastructure lender. In the Americas, the bank has lent more than $15 billion of project debt for utility scale renewable energy plants, energy, and infrastructure projects in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. For more information about NORD/LB, please visit www.nordlb.com or email nicolai.dillow@nordlb.com.

Connectgen’s South Ripley Solar and Storage Project Receives NYSERDA Contract Award

March 16, 2020March 16, 2020 by South Ripley

March 16, 2020 (Houston, TX) – On Friday, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced a 20-year contract award for the South Ripley Solar and Storage Project through the agency’s 2019 solicitation for large-scale renewables. The contract is for the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs) from the project, which is under development by ConnectGen LLC. Each REC represents the environmental attributes of one megawatt hour of electricity generated from a renewable source, such as solar or wind.

The project is a planned 270 megawatt (MW) alternating current, photovoltaic solar energy facility that will be located in the Town of Ripley in Chautauqua County, New York. Additionally, the development will include a 20 MW battery storage component. The South Ripley Solar and Storage Project was one of 21 large-scale solar, wind, and energy storage projects across upstate New York, totaling 1,278 MW of renewable capacity, to receive a contract award.

The South Ripley Solar and Storage Project is currently expected to start construction as early as 2022 and once operational, will accelerate progress towards New York State’s goals to generate 70 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 100 percent from carbon-free sources by 2040. In addition, with the inclusion of an energy storage component, the project will enhance integration of renewable energy resources into the electric grid, which will support the State’s nation-leading goal to install 3,000 MW of energy storage by 2030.

Caton Fenz, CEO of ConnectGen said, “We are pleased to have been selected for this award and applaud New York State’s nation-leading effort to transition to a clean energy future. We are proud to support the state’s ambitious clean energy goals with the South Ripley Solar and Storage Project, and we are excited about partnering with our host community to bring significant positive benefits to the local economy in the form of jobs, purchased services, lease and easement payments to host landowners, and meaningful long-term tax revenue to the Town of Ripley, Chautauqua County, and Sherman School District.”

ConnectGen LLC is a subsidiary of 547 Energy. 547 Energy is Quantum Energy Partners’ clean energy platform company.

###

About ConnectGen

Founded in 2018, ConnectGen’s strategy is to apply its proven ability to develop, construct and operate clean energy assets to create a multi-technology portfolio of generation and storage projects across North America. The company currently has 139 MW of solar projects in operations and is developing over 3,500 MW of wind, solar and energy storage projects across seven U.S. states. For more information, please visit www.connectgenllc.com.

About Quantum Energy Partners / 547 Energy

EDP Renewables, ConnectGen Complete Acquisition of Three First Solar Projects

March 16, 2020December 17, 2019 by ConnectGen

TEMPE, Ariz./HOUSTON, Texas, December 17, 2019 – US-headquartered First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) announced today that a partnership composed of EDP Renewables and ConnectGen has completed the acquisition of three projects with a total nameplate design of 278 megawatts (MW)AC in the United States. First Solar previously disclosed that the sale of these projects were subject to certain conditions precedent for closing that have since been satisfied.

The projects include the 154MWAC Sun Streams 1 project in Maricopa County, Arizona, the 20MWAC Windhub A project in Kern County, California, and the 103MWAC Sunshine Valley project in Nye County, Nevada. All three projects are scheduled to achieve substantial completion by the end of the fourth quarter of 2019.
“These projects reflect EDP Renewables’ focus on value creation, innovation, and sustainability. Combining responsible development with attractive economics backed by long-term Power Purchase Agreements, they are powered by one of the most innovative and eco-efficient solar technologies available today,” said Miguel Prado, Chief Executive Officer, EDP Renewables North America. “We look forward to adding these projects to our growing portfolio in the United States.”

EDP Renewables is a leading global renewable energy company that operates in markets around the globe. The United States is the company’s biggest market in terms of installed capacity and production. EDP Renewables North America commissioned its first two solar parks in California in January 2015, subsequently adding three solar parks in South Carolina to its operational portfolio.

“ConnectGen and First Solar strive to enable a sustainable energy future, and this deal furthers our goal to provide long-term, cost-effective, renewable energy solutions in the United States,” said Caton Fenz, Chief Executive Officer, ConnectGen. “We look forward to working alongside EDP Renewables and with all project stakeholders to responsibly bring these important projects to fruition.”

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ConnectGen develops renewable energy and energy storage projects across North America. The company is backed by Quantum Energy Partners, a leading provider of private equity capital to the global energy industry.

“We’ve proven, once again, that investors are focused on the winning formula: responsible development, attractive project economics, and long-term Power Purchase Agreements, underpinned by high-performance PV modules and a partner that stands behind its commitments,” said Georges Antoun, Chief Commercial Officer, First Solar. “We thank EDP Renewables and ConnectGen for their trust and for recognizing the robustness of First Solar’s approach to project development in the United States.”

All three projects are powered by First Solar’s thin film module technology, developed and innovated in the United States. Once commissioned, the projects will be operated by First Solar Energy Services, which, with over 10 gigawatts (GW) under management, is the solar industry’s most experienced Operations and Maintenance (O&M) service provider for large-scale solar power plants.

First Solar is celebrating two decades since its founding in 1999 and 25GWDC of photovoltaic (PV) modules shipped, making it the only American solar manufacturing company to achieve this milestone.

About First Solar, Inc.

First Solar is a leading global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) solar systems, which use its advanced module and system technology. The company’s integrated power plant solutions deliver an economically attractive alternative to fossil-fuel electricity generation today. From raw material sourcing through end-of-life module recycling, First Solar’s renewable energy systems protect and enhance the environment. For more information about First Solar, please visit www.firstsolar.com.

About EDP Renewables

EDP Renewables (Euronext: EDPR) is a global leader in the renewable energy sector and the world’s fourth-largest wind energy producer. With a sound development pipeline, first class assets and market-leading operating capacity, EDPR has undergone exceptional development in recent years and is currently present in 14 international markets (Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, the UK and the US). EDPR has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Engie for the creation of a (50/50) joint venture in the offshore wind energy segment. The new company will become one of the five largest operators of offshore wind energy and will be operational by the end of 2019. Energias de Portugal, S.A. (“EDP”), the principal shareholder of EDPR, is a global energy company and a leader in value creation, innovation and sustainability. EDP has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 12 consecutive years. For further information, visit www.edpr.com.

About ConnectGen

ConnectGen is a Quantum Energy Partners portfolio company. Founded in 2018, ConnectGen’s strategy is to apply its proven ability to develop, construct and operate clean energy assets to create a multi-technology portfolio of generation and storage projects across North America. The company is currently developing over 3,500 MW of wind, solar and energy storage projects across seven U.S. states. For more information, visit www.connectgenllc.com.

For First Solar Investors

This release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning First Solar’s sale, construction and operation of PV projects with a total nameplate design of 278MWAC. These forward-looking statements are often characterized by the use of words such as “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “believe,” “forecast,” “foresee,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “goal,” “target,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “predict,” “continue” and the negative or plural of these words and other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and our projections about future events and therefore speak only as of the date of this release. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements.

These factors include, but are not limited to, the matters discussed under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations” of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as supplemented by our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Media

Reuven Proença
First Solar Media
reuven.proenca@firstsolar.com

US: Steve Kerekes
Kyte Consulting for First Solar
steve@jkyteconsulting.com

Europe: Doreen Rietentiet
DWR Eco for First Solar
rietentiet@dwr-eco.com

Investors

Mitchell Ennis
First Solar Investor Relations
mitchell.ennis@firstsolar.com

ConnectGen Appoints Chief Executive Officer and Acquires Solar Portfolio

March 16, 2020November 18, 2019 by ConnectGen

Houston, November 18, 2019: ConnectGen LLC (“ConnectGen”), a Houston-based clean energy portfolio company of Quantum Energy Partners, today announced that Caton Fenz has been appointed as the company’s Chief Executive Officer.

“Many of us have known or worked with Caton for over a decade before he joined ConnectGen as the Chief Development Officer in 2018. We are fortunate to have someone of Caton’s caliber and experience assume this important leadership role,” remarked ConnectGen Chairman Gabriel Alonso. “We are entering a critical phase in the U.S. clean energy market and Caton’s experience will be critical to successfully implement the company’s long-term strategy,” said Alonso.

Additionally, on October 28, ConnectGen partnered with EDP Renewables North America in a 50/50 joint venture to acquire a 278 megawatt (MW) solar portfolio from First Solar, Inc. The portfolio consists of three plants located in Arizona, California and Nevada, each of which is fully contracted under longterm power purchase agreements and expected to achieve commercial operations in the next few months.

“We have positioned the ConnectGen platform over the last 18 months to both develop and acquire projects of this size,” said Fenz. “This acquisition accelerates ConnectGen’s strategy of developing and commercializing high-quality clean energy and energy storage projects across North America.”

###

About ConnectGen

Founded in 2018, ConnectGen’s strategy is to apply its proven ability to develop, construct and operate clean energy assets to create a multi-technology portfolio of generation and storage projects across North America. The company currently is developing over 3,500 MW of wind, solar and energy storage projects across seven U.S. states. For more information, please visit www.connectgenllc.com. For ConnectGen press inquiries, or to request an interview, please contact Sarah Bray at (832) 226-2116 or sarah@InnovantPR.com.

About Connectgen

About Quantum Energy Partners / 547 Energy

About ConnectGen

About Quantum Energy Partners / 547 Energy

ABOUT CONNECTGEN

ABOUT QUANTUM ENERGY PARTNERS / 547 ENERGY

ABOUT CONNECTGEN

ABOUT QUANTUM ENERGY PARTNERS / 547 ENERGY

ABOUT CONNECTGEN

ABOUT QUANTUM ENERGY PARTNERS / 547 ENERGY

ABOUT THE JAMESTOWN BPU

ABOUT Quantum Energy Partners / 547 Energy

ABOUT COBANK

ABOUT NORD/LB

About ConnectGen

About Quantum Energy Partners / 547 Energy

About First Solar, Inc.

About EDP Renewables

About ConnectGen

For First Solar Investors

Media

Investors

About ConnectGen

About Quantum Energy Partners

Connecting Power, Projects & People.

Company

Contact