Cypress Creek & Google Break Ground on America’s Largest Solar Project

Cypress Creek Energy and Google have broken ground on Steel River Energy Center in Mississippi County, Arkansas, which is set to become the country's largest solar power project. The first two phases will add 1.6 gigawatts of solar generation and 1.9 gigawatt-hours of battery storage to the local grid. Once all three phases are finished by 2029, the project will produce 2.5 gigawatts of solar and 2.9 gigawatt-hours of storage, enough to power more than 315,000 Arkansas homes a year. Google has signed a power purchase agreement to buy electricity from the first two phases, its largest solar-and-storage deal anywhere in the world.

This isn't a project homeowners can sign up for, but it points to a broader shift: solar and battery storage made up 91 percent of all new U.S. electricity-generating capacity added in the first quarter of 2026. More regional solar and storage capacity generally supports grid reliability and can help keep electricity costs in check, according to Entergy Arkansas' CEO.

The project also includes local benefits. Google and Cypress Creek are putting a combined $8 million into community investment funds. Google's $5 million share builds on an existing energy affordability program that funds community solar subscriptions for low-income West Memphis customers, home weatherization (sealing and insulating homes to cut energy waste) and safety upgrades in Mississippi County, and energy efficiency work in Arkansas schools. Cypress Creek's $3 million includes a $400,000 gift for a new elementary school playground.