Construction on largest solar array in U.S. begins in Mississippi County

The largest solar array ever built in the U.S. will be in Mississippi County. Cypress Creek Energy and Google on Tuesday (July 14) joined community leaders, project partners, and elected officials to celebrate the start of construction on the first two phases of Steel River Energy Center.

The project’s first two phases will deliver 1.6 GWdc of new solar generation and 1.9 GWh of new battery storage to the local grid, helping support economic growth and strengthen energy reliability across the region, according to officials. Once fully complete, the three-phase project will provide 2.5 GWdc of solar and 2.9 GWh of battery storage to the local grid system by 2029. This is enough electricity to power more than 315,000 Arkansas homes each year.

“Steel River not only represents an important investment in Google’s clean energy commitments, but also in our commitment to Arkansas,” said Will Conkling, Head of Data Center Energy for Google. “This collaboration with Cypress Creek Energy will strengthen the grid and help ensure more reliable, affordable, and clean energy is available for businesses and communities throughout the state.”

Under a power purchase agreement (PPA) with project owner and operator Cypress Creek, Google has secured energy from the first two phases of Steel River Energy Center, which represents the largest solar and storage project across Google’s global portfolio to date.

“As Arkansas’ economy continues to grow and attract new industries, ensuring reliable and affordable electricity for our communities and businesses is more important than ever. The Steel River Energy Center represents a significant step forward in meeting our state’s increasing demand for power,” said Laura Landreaux, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas. “By leveraging solar—one of the lowest-cost sources of new generation—we’re able to keep energy costs manageable for families and businesses across Arkansas. This project not only strengthens our grid, but also supports economic development and helps secure a sustainable energy future for our state.”

The project will connect to the regional grid, adding new generation and storage capacity to help power Arkansas’ steel manufacturers, new data centers, and other major employers across the region.

Solar and energy storage has grown rapidly across the country. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, solar and battery storage accounted for 91% of all new electricity-generating capacity added in the United States.

“Some people still question whether a domestic solar supply chain is possible. This project is proof,” said Kevin Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Cypress Creek Energy. “Steel River is the largest solar project with energy storage in the country, and it’s being built with 100% U.S.-made solar panels and structural steel. That’s good for American manufacturing, good for Arkansas, and good for the country’s energy future.”

Steel River Energy Center is expected to create approximately 700 construction jobs per phase and generate an estimated $300 million in local tax revenue over the life of the project, benefiting Rivercrest School District, Mississippi County, and the Town of Wilson. Cypress Creek has selected Moss as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor for the project.

“Steel River Energy Center is a welcome addition to our business community in Arkansas and will provide vital energy storage services to support manufacturing operations,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “This facility will be a showcase of American manufacturing, using steel manufactured right in Mississippi County, Arkansas, and we congratulate the company on its groundbreaking.”

In addition to the project’s economic benefits, Google and Cypress Creek are committing a combined $8 million to support local communities through dedicated community investment funds.

Google has committed $5 million in energy affordability initiatives to support local Arkansas residents and K-12 schools. This commitment builds on Google’s existing Greater West Memphis Energy Impact Fund, supporting new community solar subscriptions in West Memphis for low-income customers, residential health and safety improvements and weatherization in Mississippi County, and energy efficiency projects in school districts across the state.

Cypress Creek has committed an additional $3 million through its community investment program, beginning with a $400,000 contribution to Rivercrest School District for the construction of a new playground.