Vistra Energy completes 180MW PV project in Texas

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Vistra Energy originally purchased the solar project back in May 2017, when the site was under development. Image: Kate Ausburn / Flickr

Vistra Energy has announced that the 180MW Upton 2 Solar Power Plant in West Texas has achieved commercial operation. The solar installation stands as Texas’ largest operating PV facility.

Vistra’s power generating subsidiary, Luminant, will serve as the plant's owner and is also its qualified scheduling entity with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

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

Vistra Energy originally purchased the solar project back in May 2017, when the site was under development.

Curt Morgan, Vistra’s president and chief executive officer, said: “When we announced the project a year ago, we did so knowing that Upton 2 was the perfect fit for Vistra's integrated business model. Through this project, we're enabling our Texas retail brand, TXU Energy, to enhance its retail solar offerings, and we're diversifying Luminant's generation fleet, as well. This project makes strategic sense for us as a business, and we're excited that it is officially powering Texas in time for the 2018 summer.”

The Upton 2 project sits on nearly 769 hectares of land and is comprised of 718,000 PV panels. With its generation capacity, the installation has enough energy to power approximately 56,700 average residences in the market during normal weather conditions — and 27,700 during periods of peak demand.

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

July 3, 2026
The US is reportedly drafting a ban on Chinese solar inverters over concerns that they pose a risk to the grid.
July 3, 2026
The state of New York has reached 8GW of cumulative installed distributed solar PV, putting the state ahead of its 10GW target by 2030.
Premium
July 2, 2026
As the 4 July safe harbour deadline nears, VDE Americas’ Lisa Casey says US solar is at a decisive but nuanced turning point.
July 2, 2026
The Massachusetts Senate’s new energy efficiency legislation has been broadly welcomed by US solar industry and clean energy representatives.
July 2, 2026
New Jersey’s legislature has passed a bill to enable plug-in solar in the state, becoming the tenth state to advance such a bill.

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