Area Development
Cypress Creek Renewables, a company that specializes in the ownership and development of long-term solar energy projects, has taken first steps toward investing $12 million in solar energy projects in Saluda County, South Carolina.

The projects, a nine-megawatt facility located off of S.C. Highway 121 in Saluda and a four-megawatt facility located off of Columbia Highway in Saluda, are expected to be fully operational by the end of 2016. One megawatt of solar energy is enough to provide inexpensive, secure, clean energy to approximately 200 South Carolina homes.

Primarily focused on two to 10 megawatt utility scale projects, Cypress is working with regulators, utilities and business development groups throughout the United States to build more than one gigawatt of new solar projects between now and the end of 2016.

“Local solar projects help to grow the economy by providing clean, renewable energy for homes and businesses. Working in partnership with our utility partners, local leaders, and the state of South Carolina, gives us the opportunity to help build an energy-independent future,” said Cypress Creek Renewables CEO Matthew McGovern.

The company is working in partnership with Southern Current, which is the newly-merged entity comprised of long time development partners Sustainable Energy Solutions and Solbridge Energy. Southern Current oversees local development activities including site identification and acquisition, obtaining necessary permits and coordinating with the utilities amongst other due diligence activities. Together, they have received economic development approvals to build two facilities in Saluda County.

“It’s very exciting to be part of projects like these that are helping to reshape South Carolina’s energy future. This would not be possible without the support of the local community and all of our development partners,” said Southern Current, LLC Principal/Chief Development Officer Paul Fleury.

“Team South Carolina’s approach to providing a business-friendly environment for all types of companies continues to pay off, and Cypress Creek’s investment in Saluda County is a testament to that. We look forward to seeing the impact that the renewable energy industry will have in Saluda, and across the state,” Governor Nikki Haley said.