Orbital Solar Services (OSS) announced Monday it would provide full EPC services for the new solar facilities that Akon announced last Wednesday. OSS partnered with Akon Lightning America and the Black Sunrise Half Century Fund to decommission coal-fired power plants in the US and convert them into utility-scale solar energy farms.
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Orbital Solar Energy partners with Akon: EPC for the black Sunrise Half Century Fund
On Monday, Orbital Energy Group, Inc, announced that through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Orbital Solar Services (OSS), it would provide the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) for the new solar facilities Akon announced last week.
In this regard, OSS is partnering with Akon, Akon Lighting America (a leading developer of clean energy projects), and the Black Sunrise Half Century Fund to decommission coal-fired power plants throughout the country convert them into utility-scale solar energy farms. OSS services for these solar facilities will begin in the second quarter of 2021.
The Black Sunrise Fund was created in conjunction with Akon Lighting America to bring large scale solar power to North America. This process would be developed “by remediating now redundant coal facilities and converting the site into a utility-scale solar farm, producing clean energy,” a BSF representative said.
For the next three years, BSF expects to build over 1 GW of solar power with an initial investment of $725 million.
BSF considered Orbital Solar Energy for its technical, innovation, and support capabilities in selecting it as its EPC company of choice. “This includes OSS’s proven track record of success in executing over 40 solar above 600 MW, with more than 50 years combined experience in the delivery and management of both commercial and renewable energy construction projects,” the fund shared.
Reception and expectations
Brandon Martin, Orbital Solar Energy CEO, stated, “We are now entering a new age of solar development in our nation. Through this partnership with the Black Sunrise Fund and Akon Lighting America, we are committed to fostering greater diversity within the industry, ensuring that people of color and minority-run businesses have ample opportunities to join in this expansion.”
Jim O’Neil, Orbital Solar Energy Group’s Vice-Chairman & CEO, commented, “We are proud to be a part of this exciting new venture. This type of socially responsible and environmentally friendly enterprise proves that corporate America can ‘do well by doing good.’ These utility-scale projects, along with planned follow-on developments; will enhance our presence in the renewable/alternative energy marketplace well into 2021 and beyond.”
Mr. O’Neil added, “As part of diversifying into an energy infrastructure service provider, one of our priorities is to elevate our environmental, social, and governance efforts. Bringing greater diversity and opportunities to under-represented minorities in this industry is a key part of this strategy. This undertaking is exactly the type of program; that can radically change the energy industry for the better; and we are grateful to be a part of it.”
Akon announced the collaboration between Akon Lighting America, OSS; and BSF during his opening remarks at the “Clean Energy for America;” Inaugural Ball in Washington, DC, last Wednesday. A video of those remarks can be accessed here
