The Daily Dig
Lightsource bp and Meta have finalized a long term power purchase agreement for Mowata Solar, a 172MWdc (150MWac) project under development in Acadia Parish, Louisiana. Construction is set to begin later this year and is expected to create between 250 and 350 jobs. The agreement adds new generation to the local grid, with energy from the project delivered there once online. Lightsource bp says the project represents a $237 million investment in the state's energy infrastructure.
This is another solar PPA between the two companies. Meta previously signed on in 2022 for output from Arche Solar, a 134MWdc (107MWac) project in Gorham Township, Ohio, also developed by Lightsource bp. Mowata Solar is now the third Lightsource bp solar project in Louisiana, joining Prairie Ronde Solar (180MWdc) in St. Landry Parish and Oxbow Solar (345MWdc) in Pointe Coupee Parish.
Lightsource bp has also built out a community and environmental component tied to the project. In 2025, the company made an initial $400,000 contribution to the Acadia Parish Industrial Development Board, which funds local education and infrastructure. Lightsource bp has developed a long term Land Management and Biodiversity Plan for the site as well. The plan includes restoring coastal native habitats by installing native Cajun Prairie habitat and local native woody plant species to improve soil health and biodiversity across the project footprint.
Snapshot:
Project Name: Mowata Solar
Developer: Lightsource bp
Off-taker: Meta
Location: Acadia Parish, Louisiana
Sector: Utility scale solar
Capacity: 172MWdc (150MWac)
Investment Value: $237 million
Construction Start: 2026
Workforce Impact: 250 to 350 construction jobs
Power Delivery: Local grid
Community Investment: $400,000 contribution to Acadia Parish Industrial Development Board (2025)
Environmental Component: Long term Land Management and Biodiversity Plan, including coastal native habitat and Cajun Prairie restoration
Related Prior Project: Arche Solar, 134MWdc (107MWac), Gorham Township, Ohio (PPA signed 2022)
Other Lightsource bp Louisiana Projects: Prairie Ronde Solar (180MWdc, St. Landry Parish), Oxbow Solar (345MWdc, Pointe Coupee Parish)
TheJobWalk Thoughts
This is Lightsource bp's third solar project in Louisiana, following Prairie Ronde and Oxbow. Developers with multiple projects in the same state generally build up local relationships with regulators, landowners, and contractors over time, which is a factor worth watching as more of these deals stack up in the region.
A 250 to 350 job range on a single solar build is a sizable draw for Acadia Parish. Contractors and suppliers with a presence in the region, or interest in expanding there, should treat this as a project worth getting in front of early, given the scale of the labor need relative to the area.
The $400,000 community board contribution, made roughly a year ahead of construction, is worth noting as a data point on developer behavior. Contractors can watch for this kind of early community investment on other utility scale solar bids as one signal, among others, that a developer is serious about moving a project forward.
