Expansion
Terra-Gen Marks Commercial Operation of $950 Million Lockhart Solar and Storage Project
By News Desk ·
Key takeaways
- Terra-Gen's Lockhart Solar and Storage project cost $950 million and pairs 365 MW of solar with 173.7 MW of battery storage.
- The Hinkley, California facility uses more than 925,000 solar modules and 248 battery enclosures.
- Construction created more than 1,000 on-site jobs over four years, and the project is expected to generate over $40 million in property tax revenue.
Terra-Gen has completed its $950 million Lockhart Solar and Storage project in San Bernardino County, California, and marked commercial operation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Hinkley facility. The project pairs 365 MW of solar generation with 173.7 MW of battery storage, for 538.7 MW of capacity. PR Newswire reported the milestone on November 10, 2026.
Inside the Lockhart Solar and Storage Build
Lockhart includes more than 925,000 solar modules and 248 battery enclosures. Terra-Gen said the facility can meet the annual energy needs of approximately 350,000 homes and businesses. Engineering and construction created more than 1,000 on-site jobs, with 880,000 hours worked over four years, and the facility is expected to generate more than $40 million in property tax revenue over its operating life.
"Today is about recognizing the people and partnerships that brought Lockhart to life and celebrating what this project means for the region," said John O'Connor, chief executive officer at Terra-Gen. Simon Day, vice president and head of solar development at Terra-Gen, said employees and contractors delivered the project on schedule and on budget.
Cupertino Electric served as the balance-of-plant engineering, procurement and construction contractor, and EPC Services was the high-voltage contractor. First Solar supplied the solar modules and Nextpower supplied the tracking systems. First Solar announced a $150 million investment in India on November 6, 2026, bringing its cumulative investments there near $1 billion, according to BusinessLine. The Lockhart facility has a combination of offtake agreements with corporate buyers and long-term power purchase agreements with California load-serving entities.
Terra-Gen's Storage Supply and Financing
Terra-Gen signed an agreement in March 2026 for LG Energy Solution to supply 8 GWh of LFP battery energy storage systems, the largest single deal for LG Energy Solution's US ESS subsidiary since launch, according to akta.pro company records. The same records show Terra-Gen closed $383.3 million in project financing in December 2025 for the 205 MW Lockhart III & IV solar project in San Bernardino County, comprising a $236.1 million tax equity bridge loan, a $107.5 million construction and term loan, and $39.7 million in unfunded facilities from Crédit Agricole, ING, NORD/LB and U.S. Bank.
Lockhart's Phased Path to Operation
Terra-Gen commissioned the 125-MW Lockhart III solar farm in San Bernardino County in May 2026, a project capable of powering approximately 62,500 homes annually, Renewablesnow reported. In July 2026, Terra-Gen announced commercial operation of its 80 MW Lockhart Solar PV IV project, completing the four-phase complex at a combined 365 MW of solar and 173.7 MW of battery storage, SolarQuarter reported. Terra-Gen also won consent from the Kern County Board of Supervisors in June 2026 for a utility-scale solar-battery storage project near Mojave, California, according to Renewablesnow.
What Comes Next for Terra-Gen
Terra-Gen's gross operating portfolio comprises 4.4 GW of wind, solar and battery storage projects, including 5.6 GWh of energy storage across 34 renewable power sites, predominantly in California and Texas, the company said.