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December 23, 2025
Solar company files for bankruptcy, operations at Bandera County farm expected to continue
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
Pine Gate Renewables, LLC, developer of the Rio Lago Solar project in Bandera County, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.
Attributing financial pressure from legislative and regulatory changes, the North Carolina based company reported the move was a strategic decision. Pine Gate has reportedly claimed $1-$10 billion in both assets and liabilities across more than 40 U.S. states.
Rio Lago Solar has had a 20-year lease agreement in place with the owner of private property on FM 3240 since 2020. The 1,000-acre 120-megawatt solar farm connects directly to the electrical grid controlled by Bandera Electric Cooperative. Bandera County commissioners, Bandera City Council members and the Bandera ISD Board of Trustees passed resolutions objecting to the $1.8 million project, and the latter rejected an abatement request from parent company Pine Gate Renewables.
Operations are expected to continue uninterrupted during a competitive sale process, which is expected to be complete soon with new ownership.
Attributing financial pressure from legislative and regulatory changes, the North Carolina based company reported the move was a strategic decision. Pine Gate has reportedly claimed $1-$10 billion in both assets and liabilities across more than 40 U.S. states.
Rio Lago Solar has had a 20-year lease agreement in place with the owner of private property on FM 3240 since 2020. The 1,000-acre 120-megawatt solar farm connects directly to the electrical grid controlled by Bandera Electric Cooperative. Bandera County commissioners, Bandera City Council members and the Bandera ISD Board of Trustees passed resolutions objecting to the $1.8 million project, and the latter rejected an abatement request from parent company Pine Gate Renewables.
Operations are expected to continue uninterrupted during a competitive sale process, which is expected to be complete soon with new ownership.