How We Work
Each project we develop is unique, but all follow a basic process and thoughtful approach, utilizing our extensive development and valuable operations experience to bring a new solar or energy storage facility to life.
Cypress Creek Renewables is a mission-driven integrated solar and storage developer and independent power producer. We take projects from greenfield all the way through to operation and have commercialized more than 850 projects in 22 states across the country.
We use our experience managing and operating projects to develop the best solar and storage projects benefiting the environment, local economies, and the strength and security of the electric grid.
How a solar or storage project goes from inception to operation
Every project we develop is a little different, but they all follow the same basic steps to become a valuable asset to communities, energy offtakers, and the nation’s electricity grid.
Our team uses county parcel, GIS and other data to identify the best locations to develop a project.
Factors the team considers during this process include:
- Demand for energy as a result of a retiring fossil fuel plant, commercial or residential load growth, or other grid or customer needs.
- The availability of buildable land.
- Protected wetlands on the site or other environmental concerns.
- Feasibility of an economical connection to the local utility grid.
- Availability of local zoning and permitting support.
- State and federal policies.
Our team signs a lease or purchase agreement with one or more landowners and can start developing the project.
Before we can start building, we take great care to make sure the site we have chosen is the right one.
Our process includes:
- Performing our environmental due diligence through a series of studies that look for any impact to wetlands, endangered species, or cultural resources, compliance with ASTM standards, and more.
- Securing any necessary permits from agencies including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, historical preservation offices, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- Researching the property to find any title issues or mineral rights owners.
- Surveying the land to establish accurate property boundaries and easement locations.
- Conducting an interconnection study to determine the feasibility and cost of connecting to the electric grid.
- Working through local land use and zoning changes needed before the project can be built.
- Creating the initial site layout.
During diligence we engage with the community and work to establish sustainable relationships with our community partners.
We call this our Good Neighbor Commitment, which focuses on four key areas: Environmental Sustainability, Workforce Development and STEM Education, Economic Development and Community Investment, and Veterans Initiatives.
Learn more about Cypress Creek in communities.
At this stage we make major commercial commitments that include signing power purchase and interconnection agreements.
We also refine our site plan, based on community input and what we have learned during the due diligence phase.
Learn more about our commercial capabilities.
After completing the due diligence process, our team gets to work preparing to build the best version of the project.
About our Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) Team
Empowering a sustainable future through excellence in engineering, procurement, preconstruction, and construction, the EPCM teams’ mission is to deliver high-quality solar and battery storage projects that drive clean energy advancements. From initial development to seamless handoff to our operations and maintenance team, we are committed to innovation, quality, safety, and collaboration. By integrating expertise and best practices, we aim to bring impactful renewable energy solutions to life, empowering communities and contributing to a greener, resilient future.
Our Supply Chain Commitment:
Cypress Creek Renewables is committed to the principles and the internationally recognized standards set forth by the United Nations Global Compact Principles, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
We require all entities in the Cypress Creek Renewables organization and all employees, partners, and suppliers to uphold these commitments, and implement appropriate human rights protections in their own operations.
Cypress Creek also enforces thorough supply chain traceability protocols, coupled with a strong Approved Vendor Process and contractual protections in our agreements to ensure there is no use of forced labor in our supply chain.
Carefully chosen contractors handle the construction, managed by our in-house project execution team.
How we choose our team
Our team members and partners are selected based on a commitment to technical excellence, integrity, and a shared vision for advancing clean energy solutions. We prioritize skills in innovative engineering, efficient procurement strategies, and quality and safety driven construction to ensure successful project execution. Our criteria for selecting Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) partners include demonstrated expertise in solar and battery storage technologies, a proven track record in project management, and a dedication to safety, compliance, and sustainability. We seek partners who are not only technically proficient but are also aligned with our mission to deliver reliable, cost-effective solar and battery energy power solutions that exceed customer expectations and contribute to a sustainable future.
Once complete, the project is connected to the grid and starts producing or storing the energy needed for homes and businesses.
Our wholly owned subsidiary, Cypress Creek Solutions, handles all O&M needs for the life of the project.
Our O&M team of 150+ operates more than 500 projects for our customers and in our internal fleet across 23 states.
The Cypress Creek Renewables Fleet of owned and operated projects produces enough energy to power more than 415,000 American homes and businesses.
Learn more about Cypress Creek Solutions.
At the end of its planned service, about 40 years for solar projects and 20 years for storage, we will decommission it.
Cypress Creek takes care of all decommissioning requirements, recycling reusable materials, clearing the land of equipment, and returning the soil to a state that supports its former use, if that is what the landowner prefers.
Research
Market and site identification
Our team uses county parcel, GIS and other data to identify the best locations to develop a project.
Factors the team considers during this process include:
- Demand for energy as a result of a retiring fossil fuel plant, commercial or residential load growth, or other grid or customer needs.
- The availability of buildable land.
- Protected wetlands on the site or other environmental concerns.
- Feasibility of an economical connection to the local utility grid.
- Availability of local zoning and permitting support.
- State and federal policies.
Land Acquisition
Signing a site
Our team signs a lease or purchase agreement with one or more landowners and can start developing the project.
Due Diligence and Zoning
Ensuring the site is right
Before we can start building, we take great care to make sure the site we have chosen is the right one.
Our process includes:
- Performing our environmental due diligence through a series of studies that look for any impact to wetlands, endangered species, or cultural resources, compliance with ASTM standards, and more.
- Securing any necessary permits from agencies including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, historical preservation offices, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- Researching the property to find any title issues or mineral rights owners.
- Surveying the land to establish accurate property boundaries and easement locations.
- Conducting an interconnection study to determine the feasibility and cost of connecting to the electric grid.
- Working through local land use and zoning changes needed before the project can be built.
- Creating the initial site layout.
Community Engagement
Our Good Neighbor Commitment
During diligence we engage with the community and work to establish sustainable relationships with our community partners.
We call this our Good Neighbor Commitment, which focuses on four key areas: Environmental Sustainability, Workforce Development and STEM Education, Economic Development and Community Investment, and Veterans Initiatives.
Learn more about Cypress Creek in communities.
Major Commitments
Signing necessary agreements
At this stage we make major commercial commitments that include signing power purchase and interconnection agreements.
We also refine our site plan, based on community input and what we have learned during the due diligence phase.
Learn more about our commercial capabilities.
Financing, Final Engineering, and Procurement
Building the best project possible
After completing the due diligence process, our team gets to work preparing to build the best version of the project.
About our Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) Team
Empowering a sustainable future through excellence in engineering, procurement, preconstruction, and construction, the EPCM teams’ mission is to deliver high-quality solar and battery storage projects that drive clean energy advancements. From initial development to seamless handoff to our operations and maintenance team, we are committed to innovation, quality, safety, and collaboration. By integrating expertise and best practices, we aim to bring impactful renewable energy solutions to life, empowering communities and contributing to a greener, resilient future.
Our Supply Chain Commitment:
Cypress Creek Renewables is committed to the principles and the internationally recognized standards set forth by the United Nations Global Compact Principles, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
We require all entities in the Cypress Creek Renewables organization and all employees, partners, and suppliers to uphold these commitments, and implement appropriate human rights protections in their own operations.
Cypress Creek also enforces thorough supply chain traceability protocols, coupled with a strong Approved Vendor Process and contractual protections in our agreements to ensure there is no use of forced labor in our supply chain.
Construction
Building a project
Carefully chosen contractors handle the construction, managed by our in-house project execution team.
How we choose our team
Our team members and partners are selected based on a commitment to technical excellence, integrity, and a shared vision for advancing clean energy solutions. We prioritize skills in innovative engineering, efficient procurement strategies, and quality and safety driven construction to ensure successful project execution. Our criteria for selecting Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) partners include demonstrated expertise in solar and battery storage technologies, a proven track record in project management, and a dedication to safety, compliance, and sustainability. We seek partners who are not only technically proficient but are also aligned with our mission to deliver reliable, cost-effective solar and battery energy power solutions that exceed customer expectations and contribute to a sustainable future.
Grid Connection
Bringing the project online
Once complete, the project is connected to the grid and starts producing or storing the energy needed for homes and businesses.
Operations and Maintenance
Running our internal fleet of projects
Our wholly owned subsidiary, Cypress Creek Solutions, handles all O&M needs for the life of the project.
Our O&M team of 150+ operates more than 500 projects for our customers and in our internal fleet across 23 states.
The Cypress Creek Renewables Fleet of owned and operated projects produces enough energy to power more than 415,000 American homes and businesses.
Learn more about Cypress Creek Solutions.
Decommissioning
End of project life
At the end of its planned service, about 40 years for solar projects and 20 years for storage, we will decommission it.
Cypress Creek takes care of all decommissioning requirements, recycling reusable materials, clearing the land of equipment, and returning the soil to a state that supports its former use, if that is what the landowner prefers.