Vesper Energy is priming itself to charge up the Texas Panhandle, as solar power carves a wider slice of the state’s energy mix.

The Irving-based company recently began commercial operations at Hornet Solar, Vesper’s flagship energy project that will deliver 600 megawatts of energy — enough to power 160,000 homes annually.

The project includes more than 1.36 million modules and spans over 6 square miles in Swisher County, south of Amarillo in the Lone Star State’s northernmost corner.

The activation of Hornet Solar makes it one of the largest single-phase solar installations in the United States, and is part of Texas’ fast-growing renewable energy story.

Vesper cut the ribbon on the facility on April 10, which is interconnected to Oncor Electric’s transmission system, which provides juice to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

According to a news release, Hornet Solar is contracted to provide power to four partners through individual power purchase agreements.

Juan Suarez, co-chief executive officer at Vesper Energy said Hornet Solar is a testament to how large-scale energy projects can provide reliable, domestic power to homes and businesses so they can “have the energy they need to grow and thrive.”

“This project isn’t just about solar panels—it’s about making energy more affordable while strengthening our nation’s energy security,“ Suarez said in a statement.

Construction on Hornet Solar began in fall 2023. The 1 millionth solar panel was installed last December before the final modules were in place in January.

The project created more than 300 jobs during construction and will contribute an estimated $100 million new tax revenue for Swisher County, according to Vesper. That money will be allocated to the county, Tulia Independent School District and the Swisher Memorial Hospital District.

Vesper Energy has projects from coast to coast, including more than a dozen in Texas that are a mix of solar and storage.

This reporting is part of the Future of North Texas, a community-funded journalism initiative supported by the Commit Partnership, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, the Dallas Mavericks, the Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, the McCune-Losinger Family Fund, The Meadows Foundation, the Perot Foundation, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and the University of Texas at Dallas. The News retains full editorial control of this coverage.