About Us
The St. James Solar Energy Center is a proposed hub for new clean energy projects to deliver cost-effective electricity to Louisiana residents and businesses. The St. James Solar Energy Center will host several solar energy projects that, together, have the potential to power tens of thousands of homes with clean, reliable, renewable energy.
Each of the three planned solar projects will be located on adjacent sites across private land parcels. The projects will be developed in a way that efficiently uses the available land while also expanding local investment and creating new construction jobs in St. James Parish.
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D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) will develop and operate the St. James Solar Energy Center, which will include the 20 Megawatt St. James Solar project, which began commercial operations in 2023. DESRI is proposing two additional projects, collectively known as SJ Louisiana Solar, which are contracted with Entergy Louisiana. The projects will all interconnect to the electric grid at the nearby Entergy 230kV substation in Vacherie and are expected to be online in 2026.
The energy center is expected to produce major economic benefits with minimal environmental impacts:
- Full unabated Ad-Valorem property taxes
- Clean energy generation with zero emissions
- Large setbacks from residences and roadways including over 1,000 ft setbacks from residences
- Vegetative screening to minimize visual impacts and protect public viewshed
- No odors, smokestacks, or hazardous material
- 1-Month exclusive hiring window for the residences of St. James Parish
- $1 Million investment in the West Bank Multi-Purpose Center at the start of construction
- $100,000 donation to St. James High School and Sixth Ward Elementary Schools
- $300,000 in Scholarships for students of St. James
- $150,000 in Job re-training programs
The St. James Solar team is committed to answering questions and addressing any concerns from the community. You can contact us here.