Updated 24th June 2025 – The 300-megawatt Box Canyon Solar Project has begun commercial operations. This was announced by BrightNight, a leading clean and dispatchable power solutions company, together with joint venture partner Cordelio Power and the Southwest Public Power Agency (SPPA). The project is located in Pinal County, Arizona, about six miles north of the Town of Florence. the Box Canyon Solar Project represents the largest renewable energy procurement in SPPA’s history. It is also the first facility in BrightNight and Cordelio Power’s 2.5-gigawatt Arizona portfolio to become operational.
Box Canyon is expected to generate over 915,000 MWh annually, powering the region’s rapid industrial and digital expansion. It created over 300 construction jobs and contributed $47 million in local economic impact during construction, with an additional $134 million projected during its operational life. The project will also provide $65 million in land lease revenue for Arizona’s public institutions and fund 50 electrician scholarships at Central Arizona College.
Box Canyon Solar Project Factsheet
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Location: Pinal County, Arizona
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Capacity: 300 megawatts
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Annual Output: 915,000+ MWh
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Developer: BrightNight (with Cordelio Power)
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Offtaker: Southwest Public Power Agency (SPPA)
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Construction Timeline: 15 months
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Jobs Created: 300+
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Economic Impact (Construction): $47 million
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Estimated Economic Benefit (Operations): $134 million
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Land Lease Payments: $65 million to Arizona State Land Trust
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Community Investment: 50 scholarships for electrician training
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Commercial Operation Date: June 2025
Nov 2023 – BrightNight has announced the groundbreaking at Box Canyon Solar. The company was joined by its joint venture partner Cordelio Power, and Southwest Public Power Agency (SPPA). The 300-MW project is located near the town of Florence in Pinal County, Arizona. It is the largest renewable energy purchase in SPPA’s history and a significant step forward in Arizona’s clean energy revolution. The project is the first in BrightNight and Cordelio Power’s 2 GW Arizona portfolio to begin development.
BrightNight CEO Martin Hermann, SPPA President of the Board Ken Robbins, and Pinal County authorities welcomed Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs to the site on November 15.
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“While our state continues to experience historic economic growth, we must ensure this growth is sustainable. There is no better place to do that than in our rural communities,” Katie Hobbs, governor of Arizona, said. “Not only will this massive project generate clean energy, but it will also provide consistent revenue to the state. It will also create good-paying jobs for local residents.” My administration is devoted to fully realising Arizona’s solar energy potential so that we can make our state the ideal place to live, work, and raise a family.”
Furthermore, the groundbreaking is a significant milestone as SPPA chose the Box Canyon project in a competitive process that will commence in December 2020. As part of its joint venture with Cordelio Power, BrightNight oversaw the development of the Box Canyon project.
Outcomes of the Box Canyon Solar project
The Box Canyon Solar Project will generate enough electricity each year to power 77,000 Arizona homes and businesses. With the support of BrightNight’s patented artificial intelligence-based platform, the project’s design has been optimised to maximise performance and offer the highest-value project at the lowest cost.
The project will have a considerable economic impact on the local community. According to Elliott Pollack and Associates’ economic impact analysis, the project will produce $47 million in Pinal County economic effect during construction. Additionally, it will create 300 American employment.
