Dallas, Texas – August 27, 2024 – Enel North America’s Azure Sky solar-plus-storage project has received an Envision Gold rating for sustainable infrastructure. The project is the first renewables hybrid plant and largest solar project to receive an Envision rating from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI).

“Enel is not only deploying the clean energy that North America needs, but we’re also building it the right way,” said Stephen Pike, head of Enel North America’s renewable energy business, Enel Green Power North America. “Receiving the Envision Gold rating for Azure Sky Solar validates our approach to integrating sustainability into the entire life cycle of our plants. It also motivates us to continue to set new standards for innovation in the development, construction and operation of renewables. We’re honored to be recognized by ISI for this project.”

In operation since 2022, Azure Sky Solar’s 700,000 photovoltaic (PV) bi-facial panels generate over 586 GWh each year, equivalent to the electricity use of over 55,000 homes and thereby avoiding more than 386,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually. The integrated battery energy storage system (BESS), with a capacity of 95 MW / 116 MWh, was incorporated early as one of the key sustainability enhancements — adding flexibility and resilience to the project and the utility grid.

Envision is a framework developed by ISI that encourages systemic changes in the planning, design, and delivery of sustainable, resilient, and equitable civil infrastructure through education, training, and third-party project verification. At 284 MW, Azure Sky Solar is the largest solar project worldwide to receive an Envision rating.

“ISI congratulates Enel and the entire project team on earning an Envision Gold award for this project,” said Kristi Wamstad, ISI’s Verification Director. “With Azure Sky Solar, the project team has carefully demonstrated how the design and implementation of the facility contributes to a low-carbon future and delivers lasting community benefits.”

In earning the Gold designation, Azure Sky Solar was recognized for generating clean energy while also reducing construction waste, supporting local agriculture, protecting and enhancing natural resources, and prioritizing sustainable management practices for the long term. The project includes agrivoltaics in its sustainability strategy where agriculture and solar power are co-developed on the existing land. This approach generates benefits for the community by improving native vegetation, protecting wildlife and ecosystems, and establishing pollinator-friendly habitats which may improve local food production. Enel also relies on sheep grazing for sustainable vegetation management around the panels, avoiding the need for mechanical mowing.

About Enel North America
Enel North America, part of the Enel Group, is a clean energy leader in North America and is working to electrify the economy and build a net-zero carbon future by decarbonizing energy supply, electrifying transportation, creating resilient grids, and promoting a just, equitable transition. Enel North America serves over 4,500 businesses, utilities, and cities through renewable power generation, demand response, distributed energy resources, smart e-mobility solutions and services, energy trading, and more. Its installed portfolio includes over 10.3 GW of utility-scale renewable capacity, 1.3 GW of utility-scale energy storage and 106.9 MW of distributed energy storage capacity, 4.9 GW of demand response capacity, and 193,000 electric vehicle charging ports. Visit enelnorthamerica.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and YouTube to learn more.