Cajun Crescent
Energy Center
Powering Southwest Louisiana’s Global Competitiveness & Economic Growth
Since 2018, Aypa Power has been operating energy storage and clean energy projects to build more resilient communities and move our nation toward energy independence. Today, we operate over 35 energy projects across North America, with an additional 22 gigawatts of projects in various stages of development or construction.
Aypa Power has proposed to build the Cajun Crescent Energy Center, a state-of-the-art, 375-megawatt solar facility located in Calcasieu and Jefferson Davis Parishes. Together, we’re building a more reliable and affordable power grid while strengthening the Southwest Louisiana economy.
New solar panel manufacturing plant set for Jeff Davis
Article published August 28, 2024.
Read more here.
SOLAR NEWS
Misinformation clouds legislative hearing on solar energy development in Louisiana
Article published August 26, 2024. Read more here.
SOLAR NEWS
Jeff Davis ITEP committee approves request for solar project
Article published July 26, 2024.
Read more here.
SOLAR NEWS
Jim Beam column: Louisiana needs solar energy
Article published October 2, 2024.
Read more here.
SOLAR NEWS
Jim Beam column:
Solar energy takes centerstage
Article published August 31, 2024.
Read more here.
SOLAR NEWS
Calcasieu new three-member team OKs ITEP solar projects in Moss Bluff
Article published July 24, 2024.
Read more here.
SOLAR NEWS
Aypa Power plans $440M solar farm in rural section of Jeff Davis, Calcasieu parishes
Article published June 8, 2024.
Read more here.
SOLAR NEWS
Louisiana’s largest industries tired of waiting for renewable energy
Article published June 21, 2024.
Read more here.
SOLAR NEWS
Project Overview
The Cajun Crescent Energy Center is a proposed 375-megawatt, state-of-the-art solar facility, designed to meet and often exceed Parish Ordinance requirements for operation, safety, and decommissioning.
Our initial project design received thoughtful feedback from local residents. We listened to those priorities and have incorporated them into a revised design that increases project setbacks from most publicly visible areas to over 150 feet. In addition, our site design has been meticulously enhanced to preserve a significant portion in its natural state, creating wildlife corridors and buffer zones.
Global
Competitiveness
Southwest Louisiana is increasingly looking to solar and other zero-emissions energy projects to stay competitive in the global market. By integrating renewables into its energy framework, the region attracts international investment and strengthens its position as a hub for major employers in manufacturing and the traditional oil, gas, and power industries. At a time when businesses are seeking innovative solutions to strengthen their supply chains, clean energy is emerging as a critical resource.
In almost every project – expansion, new business, greenfield, brownfield – their request is ‘Can we get lower carbon or no carbon energy?’ – these folks have commitments that they’ve made, and so they need clean, renewable energy. The best way for us to do that at this time is through solar. That’s the lowest cost … Not only do I believe it’s an efficient and economic way to serve load; it also is an enabler of new economic growth.
Phillip May, CEO, Entergy Louisiana
(Speaking at Lake Charles Resiliency Summit on August 27th, 2024)
LAIA does not see solar and wind as a threat to traditional fossil fuel energy production. Alternative energy sources are seen as complimentary to established energy sources as opposed to being a competitor. Additionally, major manufacturers have set some aggressive goals to lower carbon emissions in future years ... Technology development and deployment are needed to provide energy today and to achieve energy transition goals consistent with those targets.
Jim Rock, Executive Director, Lake Area Industry Alliance
Contact Us
Aypa Power values its responsibility to serve and support local communities. We welcome your questions and feedback via the form below, by email at ccc@aypa.com, or by phone at (337) 252-6188.
Additional Solar Information
Explore this collection of resources to learn more about utility-scale solar farms and solar energy:
Center for Energy Education
How Solar Energy Works
National Renewable Energy Lab
Solar Energy Basics
U.S. Department of Energy
Solar Photovoltaic Tech Basics
Project Map
We have listened to community feedback and incorporated it into a revised project design that improves setbacks and buffering for our neighbors. Below, you will find interactive project maps outlining the updated panel areas for the Cajun Crescent Energy Center. Click on the arrow icons in any of the 12 areas highlighted by red detail boxes to explore a closer map of that specific area, showcasing exact setbacks and buffering from neighboring residences.
Key Enhancements to Exceed Parish Ordinances:
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Property line setbacks with visual buffers have been expanded to over 150 feet from most public roads and residential parcel boundaries.
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Setbacks from neighboring residences have been enhanced to at least 300 feet from any solar panels.
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Our site has been carefully planned to ensure that a substantial portion remains dedicated to agricultural and wildlife preservation areas.
A street view of a utility-scale solar project with a
50-foot pine buffer--no panel visibility.
Aerial view of the same utility-scale solar project shown on the left.
Aerial view of 50-foot pine buffer.
Let's Talk.
Schedule a one-on-one meeting with an Aypa representative in your area.
Local Tax Revenue
An estimated $87.2+ Million* in new tax revenue will flow into Calcasieu Parish and Jefferson Davis Parish, funding that can be used to support local community needs.
*30-year estimate, subject to change.
Out of Sight
The project, planned within mature pine tree plantations, will feature a tree buffer to make the project invisible to the public -- over 150 feet from the public in most key areas.
Local Employment
The Cajun Crescent Energy Center will generate employment opportunities in Calcasieu and Jefferson Davis Parishes -- up to 300 jobs during peak project construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aypa Power will build, own, and operate the project over the planned 30-year operational period.
The Cajun Crescent Energy Center will be located on undeveloped, rural land situated north of Lake Charles and Moss Bluff. To the east would be the Calcasieu River, with Highway 171 to the west.
Final site design is subject to change based on local permitting.
Our initial project design received thoughtful feedback from local residents, who wanted to ensure that the project was invisible to the public eye. We listened to those concerns and have incorporated them into a revised design that increases property line setbacks from most publicly visible areas to over 150 feet. These setbacks will feature a dense vegetative buffer to reduce visibility. Furthermore, we have ensured that all homes are now set back more than 300 feet from any solar panels.
The project is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the local communities. The project is also expected to drive substantial tax revenue -- an estimated $87 million in local net tax revenue. This influx of funds can be used to support critical public services, such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and public safety, thereby enhancing the quality of life for residents.
During peak construction, the project is expected to create up to 300 jobs. These jobs will not only provide employment opportunities for Louisianans, but also stimulate the local economy by increasing demand for goods and services from small businesses in the area.
In addition, Southwest Louisiana is increasingly looking to solar and other zero-emissions energy projects to stay competitive in a global market that’s shifting toward sustainability. By integrating renewables into its energy framework, the region attracts international investment and strengthens its position as a hub for major employers in the traditional Oil, Gas, and Power industries.
Project construction is scheduled to commence in 2025, subject to permitting approvals.
As a developer, owner, and operator, we are dedicated to ensuring the structural integrity and long-term resilience of our solar facilities. These facilities are designed and constructed to withstand extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes, heavy rainfall leading to flooding, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and high humidity levels.
Projects are built with robust materials and anchored to prevent damage. Moreover, solar panels are tested to meet stringent national and international standards for wind and hail resistance. Additionally, the specific equipment proposed for this project has undergone comprehensive lab and field testing, proving its durability against real-world conditions such as storm surges, hurricanes, and debris impact. In the event of a natural disaster, our team has emergency protocols in place to ensure safety and minimize any potential impact on the community and environment.
The Cajun Crescent Energy Center will comply with Parish drainage standards (codified in chapter 26, article VII, division 4) and obtain all required approvals. The panel tracking system will be mounted on grounded/driven steel I-beams, without the use of concrete. To promote healthy groundcover, minimize erosion, and enhance water retention, the project will implement comprehensive vegetation plans. As a result, the project is expected to have an impervious surface area of less than 1%.
Solar modules have a minimal impact on local temperatures, efficiently dissipating heat and often reducing temperatures through vegetation planted around the site.
Solar facilities are silent neighbors that generate minimal noise. The project is designed to meet all applicable noise ordinances, ensuring that sound levels remain far below 60 dB(A) -- about the equivalent of normal conversation or background office noise.
The Cajun Crescent Energy Center uses solar panels specifically designed to absorb sunlight rather than reflect it, resulting in significantly lower reflectivity compared to glass or water. Each panel is coated with an anti-reflective layer to further reduce any potential glare. A third-party engineering firm has conducted a Glint and Glare Study that concluded no issues for the Cajun Crescent Energy Center.
EMFs from solar facilities are well below established safety limits and are comparable to those from home appliances. Solar panels generate direct current (DC) electricity, which does not produce EMFs. When converted to alternating current (AC) at the inverter, EMFs are generated at very low levels.
Solar panels are designed to operate cleanly and safely and do not emit any gases or release toxic substances during normal operations. Solar panels are constructed with laminated layers and are sealed in tempered glass, similar to materials used in car windshields and hurricane windows. Even if a solar panel breaks, it does not release harmful materials. Each panel used in this project passes stringent federal testing protocols to ensure they remain safe and do not release toxins, even in the event of damage.
We are committed to minimizing the environmental impacts of the Cajun Crescent Energy Center, particularly on wildlife. To ensure this, we've conducted extensive due diligence studies, including an Environmental Site Assessment Phase 1, Critical Issues Analysis, and Bald Eagle Survey, among others.
Natural corridors, such as bayous and streams, will remain unfenced to allow continued wildlife movement. These areas are currently used by native wildlife and are expected to remain accessible during the project’s operation. Additionally, Aypa endeavors to integrate native grass species as cover crops, where appropriate, to help enhance and preserve the local ecosystem.
A study conducted by a national property valuation expert, licensed in Louisiana, concluded that with the proposed setbacks and visual buffering in place, no adverse impact to nearby property values is anticipated for this project.
To further validate this study, we enlisted Gulfstream Valuation, a reputable firm based in Lake Charles. They partnered with Thomas Hancock, Vice President and President-elect of the Louisiana Chapter of the Appraisal Institute. Their combined review confirmed the study's findings, highlighting the appropriateness of the data and methods used.
Aypa Power is responsible for the decommissioning of the Cajun Crescent Energy Center in accordance with Parish requirements, backed by a secured bond. We have submitted a detailed decommissioning plan outlining how all components will be responsibly dismantled and removed at the end of the project’s life. This ensures the land will be restored at the end of the project’s life.
Solar panels are composed of over 80% glass and metal by weight, making nearly all their components recyclable. Through proactive maintenance and repair, many solar panels can also be refurbished and reused at the end of their commercial life. At Aypa, we are dedicated to exploring every avenue to reclaim, reuse, or recycle our solar panels, thereby avoiding landfill disposal. This commitment extends to panels damaged during operations as well as those reaching the end of their commercial life cycle.
Land used for solar energy can be fully restored for agricultural use. By adopting low-impact construction techniques, maintaining vegetative cover, and implementing soil management practices, we can minimize soil disturbance. Agricultural co-location and in some cases integrating grazing small livestock around solar panels allow for dual land use, enhancing both solar efficiency and agricultural productivity. These strategies ensure the land remains productive and easily transitioned back to full agricultural use.
Our dedicated project team looks forward to hearing from you. Please reach us directly at ccc@aypa.com and (337) 252-6188, or by using the online submission form below. If you would like to schedule a one-on-one meeting, we offer drop-in hours when an Aypa rep will be available for in-person meetings. Click here for details about drop-in times and dates.
Transformative
Tax Revenue Boost
Throughout its lifespan, the Cajun Crescent Energy Center is projected to generate an impressive
$87.2+ million* in local net tax revenue—over 250 times more than the current estimate if the site remains unchanged! This substantial influx of funds can be utilized by local Police Juries, School Boards, and Sheriffs to bolster essential public services, including education, infrastructure, public safety, and other community needs, thereby significantly enhancing the quality of life for residents.
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In almost every project – expansion, new business, greenfield, brownfield – their request is ‘Can we get lower carbon or no carbon energy?’ – these folks have commitments that they’ve made, and so they need clean, renewable energy. The best way for us to do that at this time is through solar. That’s the lowest cost … Not only do I believe it’s an efficient and economic way to serve load; it also is an enabler of new economic growth.
Phillip May, CEO, Entergy Louisiana
(Speaking at Lake Charles Resiliency Summit on August 27th, 2024)
LAIA does not see solar and wind as a threat to traditional fossil fuel energy production. Alternative energy sources are seen as complimentary to established energy sources as opposed to being a competitor. Additionally, major manufacturers have set some aggressive goals to lower carbon emissions in future years ... Technology development and deployment are needed to provide energy today and to achieve energy transition goals consistent with those targets.
Jim Rock, Executive Director, Lake Area Industry Alliance