Key Takeaways
- Panamint Capital has broken ground on Big Rooter Power, a 1.2 GWdc, $1.7 billion solar PV project at its Twin Oaks power station in Robertson County, Texas.
- The project is billed as the largest solar project built at an existing coal mining site in North America.
- Big Rooter West, a 491 MWdc first phase, is under construction now and expected to enter commercial operation in August 2028; Big Rooter East, a 658 MWdc second phase, is expected to start construction in December 2026.
- The two phases are expected to create more than 800 construction jobs, with Big Rooter West alone projected to contribute over $66 million to the local economy.
- SOLV Energy will provide EPC services, First Solar will supply about 2 million solar panels, and Nextpower will deploy its NX Horizon solar tracker systems.
Panamint Capital Redevelops a Legacy Texas Energy Site
Panamint Capital has broken ground on Big Rooter Power, a 1.2 GWdc solar project at its Twin Oaks power station in Robertson County, Texas, located between Dallas and Houston. The $1.7 billion project is described by the company as the largest solar project built at an existing coal mining site in North America. Construction is underway on the 491 MWdc Big Rooter West phase, targeted for commercial operation in August 2028, while the 658 MWdc Big Rooter East phase is expected to begin construction in December 2026.
Panamint Capital & SOLV Energy Executives on the Project
“Big Rooter Power represents our vision for getting more out of America's energy infrastructure and ensuring America's energy dominance,” said Apolka Totth, Chief Executive Officer of Panamint Capital. “When Big Rooter is complete, the Twin Oaks complex will have 1.5 GW of operating thermal and renewable power, in addition to over 20 miles of new 345 kV transmission, 1.6 GWh of battery energy storage and 790 MW of Batch Zero data center capacity under development across our 10,000-acre site.”
“Big Rooter is a landmark project that reflects the scale of investment being made in America's energy future,” said George Hershman, CEO of SOLV Energy, which will provide EPC services for the project's solar, substation and transmission infrastructure.
Supply Chain and Local Impact
First Solar will manufacture roughly 2 million solar panels at facilities in Ohio, Louisiana and Alabama for the project, while Nextpower will deploy its NX Horizon solar tracker systems. The two phases are expected to create more than 800 construction jobs, with Big Rooter West alone projected to contribute more than $66 million to the local economy over its lifetime.
