Doral Brings 900 MW of Indiana's Mammoth Solar Online After Peak Build
Solar Power World reports that three phases of Doral Renewables’ Mammoth Solar Project in Pulaski County, Indiana, totaling 900 MWAC, will soon begin commercial operation.
Project Details
The phases are Mammoth South, Mammoth Central I and Mammoth Central II. Crews built them over 18 months, with about 1,800 workers on site at peak activity. At one point, installers set 20,000 panels in a single day.
The 900 MWAC is part of the 1.3-GW Mammoth Solar complex. Once the full complex is finished, Solar Power World says, it would rank among the largest operational solar projects in the country. The source does not say what is happening with the remaining capacity, which works out to roughly 400 MW. It also does not mention other Doral phases or sites, or any construction schedule for them.
Doral CEO Nick Cohen said the company hopes to make Mammoth one of the leading dual-use sites in the country. During operations, Doral is exploring agrivoltaic practices, including specialty crops and sheep and cattle grazing. Nextpower COO Robert Vinje said the project connects Indiana steel and Indiana workers to an Indiana power plant. He said Nextpower partnered with Doral and Bechtel on the work.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Push closeout now. The three phases are heading to commercial operation, so punch-list items, final pay applications and retainage release requests should be in front of the GC before crews demobilize. The source does not discuss contract terms. Check your own subcontract for retainage triggers tied to substantial completion or commercial operation.
- Plan for the workforce drop. Peak employment was about 1,800 workers. Crews finishing out these phases will be looking for their next assignment, so expect more competition for work from crews rolling off this build, and a larger local labor pool for other solar projects.
- Pitch vegetation and grazing support. Doral says it is exploring specialty crops and sheep and cattle grazing during operations. Those plans are not final. Fencing, site access, seeding and vegetation management contractors can approach Doral directly, since no program or bid has been announced.
- Ask about the remaining capacity. Only 900 MW of the 1.3-GW complex is described as nearing operation. The source gives no procurement stage, package list or start date for the rest. If you worked on these phases, ask your GC contact whether the remaining capacity is being built and who is buying out the trades.
- Use the production numbers in your pitch. Installing 20,000 panels in a day and building 900 MW in 18 months are benchmarks you can cite when bidding similar utility-scale work. Back them with your own crew productivity records.
The Solar Power World report, which draws on Doral and Nextpower statements, names Bechtel as a partner but does not detail its role or list subcontractors, and it gives no commercial operation date beyond “soon.”
