Sandhills Energy, Llc

What Sandhills Energy, Llc does

Sandhills Energy, LLC is a privately held, full-lifecycle renewable energy developer headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Founded in 2012 by Eric Johnson, the company develops, builds, and operates wind, solar, energy storage, and emerging technology projects (including hydrogen, smart grids, and distributed energy resources). Its operational footprint spans Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, and Kansas, with a development pipeline exceeding 2 GW and a built portfolio that includes the 30 MW Kimball Wind repowering, the 15-site/33.745 MWac MEAN Solar Portfolio, the 1.85 MW Valentine Wind turbine, and numerous community and commercial installations ranging from 140 kW to 2.99 MW.

The company's core products are organized around four technology lines — solar, wind, energy storage (BESS), and emerging technologies — supported by a comprehensive project development services capability that spans strategic planning, siting, permitting, engineering, EPC, and post-COD operations and asset management. Technical differentiators include specialized FERC 845 co-location modeling, SCADA-based performance monitoring, and standardized 480V inverter architecture co-developed with Yaskawa Solectria for smaller-utility interconnections. Supplier relationships span First Solar, FTC Solar, Array Technologies, and DEPCOM Power as EPC.

Sandhills generates revenue through three principal streams: long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with fixed rates and annual escalators, project development service fees across the full lifecycle, and post-construction asset management including energy arbitrage on storage assets. The customer base is concentrated in municipal utilities (MEAN, OPPD), municipal governments (Valentine, Sergeant Bluff, Delta, Fort Morgan, Butler County), and select commercial/industrial and nonprofit end-customers. Project financing is heavily reliant on USDA's PACE Program, which has delivered approximately $49 million across three states and is structured to pass savings to local ratepayers. GTM motion is enterprise field sales combined with community-led engagement, leveraging the founders' agricultural roots to secure landowner leases and municipal approvals.

Name

Sandhills Energy, Llc

Legal name

Sandhills Energy, LLC

Website

https://sandhillsenergy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sandhills Energy, LLC is a privately held, Omaha-based renewable energy developer that designs, builds, finances, and operates wind, solar, energy storage, and emerging technology projects for utilities, municipalities, and landowners across the Midwest, with a 2+ GW development pipeline.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Project Development

NAICS

Wind Electric Power Generation (221115), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Development Management & Owner’s Engineering (Design Basis, Yield, Technical Due Diligence) (EUAMAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wind Farm Development & Permitting (Greenfield/Brownfield) (EUACAFAE), Wind Operations, Maintenance & Asset Management (Scheduled/Unscheduled) (EUAMACAH), Asset Management & Owner’s Engineering (Lifecycle Strategy, Budgeting, Technical Due Diligence) (EUAMAGAJ), Wind Farm Ownership & Operations (IPP/Utility-Owned Asset Operations) (EUACAFAF)

Keywords

• Renewable energy development
• Wind energy projects
• Solar energy development
• Energy storage solutions
• Power purchase agreements

Headquarters

HQ city

Omaha

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Power Purchase Agreements (PPA): Sandhills Energy generates revenue through long-term power purchase agreements with utilities and municipalities. These fixed-rate contracts with predictable yearly escalators provide communities energy rate stability while Sandhills develops, constructs, and operates the renewable energy facilities.
2. Project Development Services: Full-scope energy lifecycle development services including site assessment, development, engineering, construction management, and operations. Services span project initiation through permitting, resource assessment, technology selection, financial planning, grid connection, testing, commissioning, and operational phase.
3. Asset Management and Operations: Post-construction asset management including performance monitoring, field technician services, and maintenance operations. The company manages energy arbitrage operations and ensures long-term reliability and optimal performance of generating assets.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sandhills Energy is a full-lifecycle renewable energy project developer that develops, builds, finances, and operates utility-scale and distributed wind, solar, energy storage, and emerging-technology projects. The company delivers these projects to utilities, municipalities, and commercial clients primarily through long-term fixed-rate Power Purchase Agreements, supported by site assessment, permitting, engineering, construction management, and post-construction asset management.

Product overview

Sandhills Energy is a renewable energy development company offering a comprehensive portfolio of clean energy solutions. The core offerings span four main product lines: Solar Energy Development, Wind Energy Development, Energy Storage Solutions, and Emerging Technology Services. These are supported by full-lifecycle Energy Project Development Services that encompass strategic planning, siting, permitting, engineering, construction management, and operations. The company has developed multiple named project portfolios including the MEAN Solar Portfolio (15-site, 33.745 MWac community solar network), the Kimball Wind Farm (30 MW repowering), and manages projects like Burt County Solar (350 MW), Butler County Solar (232.1 MW), and the Valentine Wind turbine (1.85 MW). Additional projects include Camp Courageous (275 kW BESS), Great River Medical Center (2.99 MW), and others across Nebraska, Iowa, and Colorado.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Solar Energy Development
• Wind Energy Development
• Energy Storage Solutions
• Emerging Technology Energy Services
• Energy Project Development Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately $28 million in total savings to communities through PACE Program and fixed-rate PPAs in MEAN portfolio
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Omaha Public Power District (OPPD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Sandhills Energy is expanding its work with OPPD through two Nebraska solar projects: a 250 MW PPA for Burt County Solar east of Tekamah, and assumption of development responsibility for K-Junction Solar in York County. The Burt County project will power approximately 50,000 homes and bring over $20 million in local tax revenue.
• Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021In 2021, MEAN awarded Sandhills Energy a Joint RFP for distributed solar projects across 16 communities in Colorado, Iowa, and Nebraska. The partnership has developed a 15-site, 33.745 MWac solar portfolio with projects delivering up to 5% of energy usage to participating municipalities. This collaboration aligns with MEAN's carbon neutral 2050 vision.
• DEPCOM PowermajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHeadquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, DEPCOM Power is the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm for the 232.1 MW Butler County Solar Project. DEPCOM brings deep construction experience and a focus on workforce development, local job creation, and community investment.
• First SolarmajorTechnology or IntegrationFirst Solar, headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, is America's leading photovoltaic technology and manufacturing company. Its advanced thin-film solar modules are produced domestically and designed for reliable utility-scale performance. Modules being used for Butler County Solar and other projects.
• FTC SolarmajorTechnology or IntegrationBased in Austin, Texas, FTC Solar supplies wind-resilient tracking systems engineered for regions with extreme weather conditions including high-wind environments common in Nebraska. Providing tracking systems for Butler County Solar.
• Yaskawa Solectria SolarmajorTechnology or IntegrationYaskawa Solectria Solar has worked extensively with Sandhills Energy to pioneer an innovative 480-volt solution incorporated into their premier XGI series product, manufactured in the USA. The 480-volt design better aligns with smaller utility infrastructure requirements.
• Array Technologies (ATI)majorTechnology or IntegrationArray Technologies provides advanced racking capabilities including automatic backtracking and hail, flood, and high-wind stowing features, well-suited for Midwest conditions. Distributed through RPCS for Sandhills Energy projects.
• Cherry County WindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCherry County Wind is the largest land cooperative in the United States. Sandhills Energy developed the Valentine Wind project (1.85 MW) for this cooperative and continues to develop projects including the BSH Kilgore 58.8 MW wind facility.
• Horsepower TodayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerService provider working alongside Sandhills Energy on projects. Described as an ideal client partner with high regard for Sandhills Energy's team composition of skilled entrepreneurs focused on renewable energy core competencies.
• Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMREA provides training and education for local residents in solar generation, system design, and installation. Sandhills Energy hosts MREA training sessions and offsets costs to help residents gain skills and qualifications for solar industry careers.
• BSH KilgorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSH Kilgore is a project-specific subsidiary of Sandhills Energy developing the 58.8 MW Kilgore Wind Energy Project in Cherry County, Nebraska. Project has faced zoning challenges and ongoing litigation regarding conditional use permits.
• Bluestem Energy SolutionsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBluestem Energy Solutions, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is an experienced developer, owner, and operator of renewable energy resources. Both companies were recognized by USDA for leadership in renewable energy in the Midwest and have collaborated on various projects.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Invenergy: Chicago-based developer, owner, and operator of utility-scale wind, solar, and storage projects across North America. Directly comparable full-lifecycle developer/IPP model and active in the same Midwest utility-scale market as Sandhills.
• Pattern Energy Group: Independent renewable energy developer and operator focused on utility-scale wind, solar, transmission, and storage across North America. Closely comparable full-lifecycle IPP/developer model competing for similar utility-scale PPAs.
• Apex Clean Energy: Utility-scale wind, solar, and storage developer with a national footprint. Closely comparable business model (greenfield development, PPAs with utilities/municipalities, asset management) and similar reliance on community engagement and landowner relationships to originate projects.
• Renewable Energy Systems (RES): Global renewable energy developer and EPC with significant North American wind, solar, and storage development activity. Comparable developer-to-EPC integrated model and similar target customers (utilities, municipalities, C&I off-takers).
• Bluestem Energy Solutions: Omaha-based renewable energy developer, owner, and operator working across Nebraska and the Midwest. Directly comparable to Sandhills in scale, regional footprint, and full-lifecycle service offering; the two are already co-development partners recognized jointly by USDA for Midwest renewable energy leadership.

Broad incumbents

• NextEra Energy Resources: Largest US wind and solar operator and a major developer of new renewable projects through subsidiary NextEra Energy Resources. Overlaps with Sandhills in core wind/solar/storage IPP activities but at vastly greater scale and as part of a regulated utility parent.
• ENGIE North America: North American arm of global utility ENGIE, active in utility-scale wind, solar, and storage development and operations. Overlaps in offering but operates within a much larger portfolio under a global utility parent.
• Clearway Energy Group: Owns and operates one of the largest renewable energy portfolios in the US, with active utility-scale wind and solar development. Overlaps in development and operations, but operates a much larger portfolio as a publicly traded yieldco.
• EDF Renewables North America: Subsidiary of EDF covering utility-scale wind, solar, and storage development across North America. Comparable offering across the same product categories but operates as part of a much larger, globally diversified utility with substantially deeper capital resources.

Others

• DEPCOM Power: Scottsdale, AZ-based EPC contractor for utility-scale solar and storage. Not a direct competitor but is Sandhills's chosen EPC partner on the 232.1 MW Butler County Solar project and a key adjacent participant in Sandhills's project delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sandhills-energy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sandhills Energy, Llc