Entergy Louisiana And DE Shaw renewable investments (DESRI) commenced commercial operations at Sunlight Road Solar, located in Washington Parish, Louisiana. The 50 MW solar power plant in Franklinton, developed and built by DESRI, will supply power to Entergy Louisiana’s electric grid through a 20-year power purchase agreement.
Credit: DE Shaw Renewable Investments
With more than 100,000 photovoltaic panels, Sunlight Road Solar will generate enough electricity to power approximately 11,500 homes, meeting Louisiana’s growing demand for renewable energy.
“With the addition of Sunlight Road Solar, we are taking another step toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for our state,” said Phillip May, president and CEO of Entergy Louisiana. “This milestone represents more than just adding solar to our portfolio; it’s about delivering affordable, reliable and clean energy to our customers. We are excited about what this means for the future of energy in Louisiana as we continue to meet the growing demand for renewable energy sources and work toward a net-zero future.”
Entergy Louisiana customers are expected to save approximately $22 million over the life of the Sunlight Road Solar power purchase agreement. The facility uses Nevados single-axis trackers, allowing the solar panels to follow the sun all day long to maximize energy production.
“DESRI is thrilled to have partnered with Entergy to develop and build another sustainable energy project to support its customers,” said Hy Martin, DESRI Chief Development Officer. “We are grateful to Sunlight Road Solar’s many stakeholders, including Washington Parish, Entergy, our landowners, project financiers, Nevados and Primoris Renewable Energy, and look forward to continued investments in clean, cost-competitive energy that create opportunities in Louisiana and the broader Gulf Region .”
Sunlight Road Solar is the fourth solar source Entergy Louisiana has added to its network.
The company plans to bring the nearly 50 MW Sterlington Solar facility online sometime in 2026. The solar facility will be owned and operated by Entergy Louisiana and located adjacent to the Sterlington Power Station, one of the company’s oldest power plants in northern Louisiana. These milestones align with Entergy’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
News item from DE Shaw Renewable Investments