Standard Solar acquires two eastern Washington solar projects from OneEnergy Renewables to supply rural utilities with nearly 16 MW of clean power
Maryland-based Standard Solar has acquired two ground-mounted solar projects in eastern Washington from OneEnergy Renewables, adding a combined 15.79 MW of clean generating capacity to the region. The projects — Palouse Junction in Connell and Cunningham in Othello — will supply power to two rural utilities: Franklin Public Utility District and Big Bend Electric Cooperative.
Standard Solar acquires two Washington projects from OneEnergy Renewables
Standard Solar picked up Palouse Junction and Cunningham from OneEnergy Renewables — the first time these two companies have worked together in Washington state. The deal brings 15.79 MW DC of ground-mounted solar to eastern Washington, split across sites in Connell and Othello, with both projects expected to wrap up in Q1 2027.
The acquisition fits Standard Solar’s ongoing push into distributed generation and community-scale solar. Stepping into projects already in development lets the company move them efficiently from construction into long-term operation — a model it’s applied across its national portfolio for years.
The larger of the two, Palouse Junction, is a 12.1 MW DC ground-mounted system in Connell projected to generate roughly 22,339 MWh of electricity in its first year.
Project specifications and offtaker agreements
The larger of the two, Palouse Junction, is a 12.1 MW DC ground-mounted system in Connell projected to generate roughly 22,339 MWh of electricity in its first year. Franklin Public Utility District holds the offtake agreement at 10 MW AC.
Cunningham, in Othello, is rated at 3.69 MW DC and is projected to produce around 6,917 MWh in year one. Big Bend Electric Cooperative is the offtaker at 3 MW AC.
Together, the two projects are expected to generate more than 29,000 MWh of clean electricity annually — a meaningful contribution to local energy demand across both rural utility territories. OneEnergy isn’t stepping back after the sale, either. The company stays on as both developer and EPC provider for both projects, keeping a hands-on role straight through to completion.
Rural utilities as offtakers reflect a broader clean energy trend
Franklin PUD and Big Bend Electric Cooperative don’t usually make clean energy headlines. Their involvement here points to something worth paying attention to: rural utilities are increasingly becoming active players in the energy transition rather than passive observers.
Both offtake agreements support long-term local energy planning. Instead of depending on distant generation or unpredictable wholesale markets, these utilities are locking in locally produced renewable power through structured deals — a practical hedge against volatility.
Standard Solar has been direct about how it views these partnerships. Eric Partyka, the company’s Director of Business Development, described rural utilities as “essential partners in expanding access to clean energy” and said the projects demonstrate how local utilities can bring renewable benefits directly to the communities they serve.
The deals also underscore a wider pattern in community-scale solar. Distributed generation doesn’t have to cluster in big cities — Palouse Junction and Cunningham show that smaller, well-sited installations can serve genuine needs in agricultural and rural regions just as effectively.
Standard Solar’s Pacific Northwest expansion strategy
These acquisitions aren’t a one-off. Standard Solar has been clear that it’s actively pursuing additional solar projects in Washington and across the Pacific Northwest more broadly.
Part of what makes the company competitive in that search is access to safe-harbored solar panels — equipment secured in advance to lock in favorable tax treatment under federal incentive rules. That, combined with a long-term ownership model, gives Standard Solar the flexibility to move quickly on qualified projects even as market conditions shift.
The company currently owns and operates more than 500 MW of solar assets across the US, has been in business for 20 years out of Rockville, Maryland, and is backed by Brookfield, a major global asset management firm. That financial backing carries real weight when utilities and developers are evaluating long-term partners.
Washington has active renewable energy goals, and its rural utility landscape — cooperatives and public utility districts spread across large service territories — creates steady, durable demand for community-scale solar. The Pacific Northwest is a logical place to keep expanding.
What these deals mean for eastern Washington
The Palouse Junction and Cunningham acquisitions deliver nearly 16 MW of new solar capacity coming online in eastern Washington by early 2027. Two rural utilities gain access to locally generated clean electricity under long-term agreements, without relying on distant or volatile sources.
OneEnergy developed both projects with local utility needs in mind. Erin Lynch, the company’s Senior Manager of Development, noted that the projects “reflect the value of thoughtful solar development that aligns with local utility needs and supports Washington’s broader clean energy future.”
For Standard Solar, the deals extend a portfolio already exceeding 500 MW nationally. For Franklin PUD and Big Bend Electric Cooperative, they represent a practical step toward a more resilient, locally sourced power supply. And for residents in Connell and Othello, it means cleaner electricity generated right in their own backyard.
Kelly is an experienced writer with 15 years of experience exploring the big stories that shape our world, from tech breakthroughs and space exploration to climate, energy, and the fascinating quirks of science. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into sharp, memorable insights that stay with readers long after they’ve finished reading.
