Solar Frontier Americas changes name to Idemitsu Renewables, nets financing for 80-MW solar project in Colorado

Solar Frontier Americas (SFA), announced it is changing its name to Idemitsu Renewables. Idemitsu Renewables is the US-based renewable energy business of Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd. (Idemitsu, pronounced “ee-deh-mee-tsu”), one of the largest energy companies in Japan, following the 2019 merger of Idemitsu and Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K.

“The new name underscores Idemitsu Kosan’s commitment to expanding its U.S. renewable energy business by leveraging its significant balance sheet to accelerate growth in the vibrant U.S. solar and storage sectors,” said Cary Vandenberg, Managing Director of Idemitsu Renewables. “Idemitsu’s strong support will hasten the growth of our independent power producer (IPP) and development business and bolster our national expansion through acquisitions of solar and storage projects, co-development partnerships, and greenfield development activities.”

With offices in San Francisco and Reno, Idemitsu Renewables develops, finances, owns and operates utility-scale solar and storage projects. The company first developed and built projects in California and has expanded development on a national scale with emphasis on the western states and PJM markets. Idemitsu Renewables currently manages a multi-gigawatt portfolio in various stages of development.

“Idemitsu Kosan has a 109-year history of success and innovation with strong international expertise. Our vision today is toward a diversified and resilient energy platform that better serves the world. Renewable energy is one of our two strategic areas for growth and we have a 4-gigawatt renewable energy portfolio goal with the majority of this level coming from Idemitsu Renewables.” commented Shunichi Kito, Representative Director and CEO of Idemitsu.

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Plus: CIT Leads $85 Million Financing for 80-MW Pioneer Solar Project in Colorado

And on the heels of that news, CIT Group Inc. announced that its Power and Energy unit served as sole lead arranger on an $85 million financing for the 80-megawatt Pioneer Solar project near Denver, arranged on behalf of Idemitsu Renewables. The project will sell power to Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA), a nonprofit electric distribution cooperative based in Sedalia, Colorado.

“As one of the leading banks financing renewable energy, we are excited to support Idemitsu Renewables in arranging financing for this important new project that supports the growth of solar power in Colorado,” said Mike Lorusso, managing director and group head for CIT’s Power and Energy business.

In connection with the financing, CIT is providing a package of cash management and capital markets services.

Power and Energy, part of CIT’s Commercial Finance division, leverages its deep industry knowledge and expertise to offer comprehensive financing solutions for renewable and conventional power generation. The unit manages a large, diverse portfolio that includes investments in all asset classes across the energy sector.

— Solar Builder magazine

[source: https://solarbuildermag.com/news/solar-frontier-americas-changes-name-to-idemitsu-renewables-nets-financing-for-80-mw-solar-project-in-colorado/]