Cypress Creek Energy (an independent power producer) and Google (a technology company) have broken ground on the Steel River Energy Center in Wilson, Arkansas, a three-phase solar and battery storage development that its backers are calling the largest solar energy project in the United States.

The groundbreaking ceremony brought together community leaders, project partners, and elected officials to mark the start of construction on the first two phases of a project that will ultimately deliver 2.5 gigawatts of solar generation and 2.9 gigawatt-hours of battery storage by 2029.

Scale and Timeline

The first two phases of Steel River Energy Center will deliver 1.6 gigawatts of solar generation and 1.9 gigawatt-hours of battery storage to the local grid. Once all three phases are complete, the project is projected to produce enough electricity to power more than 315,000 Arkansas homes each year. The full buildout is expected by 2029.

Located in Mississippi County, Arkansas, the project connects to the regional grid and is designed to support what project backers describe as Arkansas's growing industrial economy, including steel manufacturing, new data centers, and other major employers across the region.

Google's Power Purchase Agreement

Google has secured energy from the first two phases of Steel River Energy Center under a power purchase agreement with Cypress Creek, the project's owner and operator. Google has described the deal as the largest solar and storage project across its global portfolio to date.

Will Conkling, Google's Head of Data Center Energy, said the investment reflects both the company's clean energy commitments and its commitment to the state of Arkansas.

"This collaboration with Cypress Creek Energy will strengthen the grid and help ensure more reliable, affordable, and clean energy is available for businesses and communities throughout the state," Conkling said.

Laura Landreaux, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas, framed the project in terms of the state's rising electricity demand. "As Arkansas's economy continues to grow and attract new industries, ensuring reliable and affordable electricity for our communities and businesses is more important than ever," Landreaux said, adding that solar represents one of the lowest-cost sources of new generation available and will help keep energy costs manageable for families and businesses.

American-Made Supply Chain

Project developers have placed significant emphasis on the domestic origin of the materials used in construction. Cypress Creek Chief Executive Kevin Smith said Steel River directly answers skepticism about whether a domestic solar supply chain is achievable at scale.

"Some people still question whether a domestic solar supply chain is possible. This project is proof," Smith said. "Steel River is the largest solar project with energy storage in the country, and it's being built with 100% U.S.-made solar panels and structural steel."

Nearly all of the structural steel for the project will come from Mississippi County itself, which is identified as the nation's leading steel-producing county. For the first two phases, PACO Steel will supply more than 400,000 steel piles manufactured in Blytheville, Arkansas, using more than 142,000 tons of steel coils produced at U.S. Steel's Big River Steel facility in Osceola. Each pile is stamped with the words "Proudly made in Mississippi County, Arkansas."

Solar trackers for the project are being supplied by Nextpower and are built with domestically produced steel, including significant steel content from Big River Steel.

Solar modules will come entirely from First Solar, which manufactures panels in the United States. Battery energy storage systems will be provided by LG Energy Solution Vertech, assembled in the United States with battery cells manufactured entirely in North America, predominantly at U.S. factories.

Clint O'Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, said the project would serve as a showcase of American manufacturing. "This facility will be a showcase of American manufacturing, using steel manufactured right in Mississippi County, Arkansas," O'Neal said.

Jobs and Local Economic Impact

Steel River Energy Center is expected to support approximately 700 construction jobs per phase. Over the life of the project, it is estimated to generate $300 million in local tax revenue, with benefits directed to the Rivercrest School District and Mississippi County.

Google and Cypress Creek have also committed to establishing dedicated community investment funds to support local communities in the area surrounding the project, though specific details of those funds were not disclosed at the time of the groundbreaking announcement.

Broader Industry Context

The groundbreaking comes against the backdrop of rapid solar and storage deployment nationally. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, solar and battery storage accounted for 91 percent of all new electricity-generating capacity added in the United States, according to figures cited by Cypress Creek.

The clean power industry now supports more than 1.4 million jobs nationally, the company said, with manufacturing, supply chain, and installation roles expanding across multiple states.

Steel River Energy Center is positioned within that context as a demonstration that large-scale solar infrastructure can be constructed using American-made components sourced from communities that have historically been associated with heavy industry rather than renewable energy development.

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