Ameresco completes first PV project developed at US DEA facility

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Now operational, the PV project will cut electricity costs, provide long-term electric pricing stability and lower carbon emissions of more than 3,400 metric tons annually. Image: Ameresco

Ameresco has completed a 2.5MW PV project  for the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) at the El Paso Intelligence Center in El Paso, Texas. The installation stands as the first solar installation developed at a DEA site.

Nicole A. Bulgarino, executive vice president and general manager, federal solutions, Ameresco, said: “Ameresco applauds the leadership and vision of the DEA and the El Paso Intelligence Center as we celebrate the operation of this new solar system. We are proud to be a partner to the DEA on the agency’s first renewable energy system.”

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The 2.5MW PV project is comprised of a pair of ground-mounted solar plants on the site of the El Paso Intelligence Center. During 9,000 hours of project construction, more than 7,340 solar panels were installed at the site.

Now operational, the PV project will cut electricity costs, provide long-term electric pricing stability and lower carbon emissions of more than 3,400 metric tons annually. Ameresco will own and operate the solar project for 20 years.

The DEA contracted with Ameresco back in September 2017 under an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) through the US Department of Energy’s ESPC ENABLE program. As a whole the ESPC is expected to secure more than US$9.2 million in energy cost savings.

During the development phase, the US Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) provided technical support for project development, including grant funding through the Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) program.

13 October 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 13-14 October 2026 is our fourth PV CellTech conference dedicated to solar manufacturing in the USA. From polysilicon, wafers, ingots, cells and modules, to critical component suppliers including glass and frames, the event connects every stage of the value chain under one roof. PV CellTech USA also brings together investors, innovators, manufacturers and industry stakeholders to collaborate and strengthen domestic solar manufacturing across the United States.

Read Next

June 25, 2026
US developers Vesper Energy, rPlus Energies and Matrix Renewables have announced a number of project advancements in the US this week.
June 24, 2026
Comstock Metals in collaboration with JobsOhio and OhioSE will establish an industrial-scale solar panel recycling plant in Cambridge, Ohio.
June 24, 2026
A new anti-circumvention inquiry request has been filed with the US Department of Commerce against Hanwha and other solar cell producers regarding the import of solar cells from South Korea to the US.
June 23, 2026
Sabanci Renewables has signed a PPA with Meta for a portfolio of solar PV projects currently under development in the state of Texas.
June 22, 2026
Energy platform Permanent Power Company has secured US$600 million in construction financing for a solar-plus-storage project in California, US.
June 19, 2026
Origis has secured a US$900 million package, which consists of US$650 million in credit facilities and a US$250 million LoC facility.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
April 20, 2027
Istanbul, Türkiye