$600M Solar Portfolio Under Construction in Lamar County
When a $600 million energy project chooses Lamar County for its largest U.S. build, it is not about sunshine. It is about infrastructure, workforce, and confidence in the local economy.
In January 2026, renewable energy developer Zelestra commenced construction on two large-scale solar projects in Northeast Texas: the 253 MWdc Echols Grove Solar facility in Lamar County and the 188 MWdc Cedar Range Solar facility in Hopkins County. Together, the portfolio totals 441 MWdc of capacity, making it one of the largest solar installations under construction in the state.
The projects are backed by long-term power purchase agreements with Meta, securing a creditworthy off-take partner for the life of the facilities. Construction is being managed by McCarthy Building Companies, one of the nation's largest solar EPC contractors. The development spans approximately 2,400 acres and involves the installation of roughly 704,000 bifacial solar modules on single-axis tracking systems.
The financing
The project closed a $600 million green financing facility in late 2025, arranged by Société Générale and HSBC. The scale of the financing reflects not only the technical merits of the solar assets but also the institutional confidence in the Northeast Texas region as a location for long-duration energy infrastructure investment.
Both projects are expected to support over 400 local construction jobs during the build phase, with full commercial operation anticipated in 2027. Once operational, the facilities will generate tax revenue for Lamar and Hopkins counties and demonstrate that the region's flat terrain, existing transmission infrastructure, and workforce availability make it competitive for utility-scale energy development.
What it means for commercial real estate
Large energy projects bring workers, services, and ancillary demand. During construction, crews need lodging, food, fuel, and supply chains. During operation, the facilities require ongoing maintenance staffing. For property owners in Paris and Lamar County, the solar construction boom represents a near-term demand driver for housing, hospitality, and flex commercial space, exactly the kinds of uses that 1905 E Price St was built to support.
More broadly, the Zelestra investment signals that Lamar County is not on the sidelines of Texas's energy transition. It is a build site, and that carries implications for workforce development, population retention, and long-term commercial property values.
Source: Zelestra Energy, "Zelestra proceeds with the construction of the Echols Grove and Cedar Range solar projects in Texas," January 2026. Construction Review Online, "Zelestra Closes $600 Million Green Financing for 441 MWdc Texas Solar Portfolio," 2025. Power Systems Technology, "Zelestra Starts Construction on Its Largest U.S. Solar Projects in Texas," 2026.
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