Siemens Inks 1GW Solar Inverter Agreement with Lightsource bp

Apr 21, 2023

Lightsource bp recently signed a Volume Frame Agreement (VFA) with Siemens to supply solar inverter stations for a series of projects in the Midwest and Southeast of the United States. Per the VFA, Lightsource bp will use more than 850MW of Siemens inverters, with an option to add 200MW more, over the course of the next two years as part of its renewable project development pipeline.

For the bulk of the projects, Siemens will provide central inverter stations rated at 4.3MW – 4.7MW including gas-insulated switchgear, step-up transformers and auxiliary power stations. Siemens’ factory-certified service personnel will provide commissioning and installation support on the projects.

Central inverter stations are essential equipment in a solar energy system. They convert direct current (DC) electricity, which is what a solar panel generates, into alternating current (AC) electricity, which the electrical grid uses. Inverters also monitor critical operational data such as energy production. Incorporating them into renewable energy projects enables reliable and efficient delivery of clean energy to consumers, while also improving the overall performance and management of the renewable energy system.

"The U.S. solar industry is poised for historical growth, with the Inflation Reduction Act offering tailwinds toward delivering 30% of our country's electricity by 2030," said Kevin Smith, CEO of the Americas for Lightsource bp. "Executing significant long-term procurement agreements with bankable, world class suppliers like Siemens enables us to meet this urgent demand for sustainable, affordable energy and deliver on Lightsource bp's industry-leading growth plans."

Separate from the VFA, more than 185MW of Siemens central inverter stations are scheduled to be delivered to Lightsource bp throughout the remainder of this year.

"In just three short years, Siemens has positioned itself as a leader in the utility scale solar sector in the U.S.," said Brian Dula, Vice President of the Electrification and Automation business at Siemens Smart Infrastructure USA. "We are extremely optimistic about the future of both large-scale energy storage and solar PV projects. Siemens has the end-to-end equipment requirements of these projects well covered."

Rachael Legg, Lightsource bp's Chief Procurement Officer, added: "This procurement deal is a testimony to Lightsource bp's exponential growth in the United States, and our confidence in Siemens’ technology. To reach our worldwide goal of delivering 25GW of developed solar by 2025, we continue to strategically invest in the products that will support our success."

Since 2019, the Lightsource bp team has brought into operation or initiated construction on 3.2 gigawatts of U.S. solar projects across 11 states, with capital costs of nearly $4 billion. Collectively, these projects can generate enough electricity to power 550,000 homes and abate more than 4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

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