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Black Hills Energy Selects US Solar to Deliver Two Community Solar Gardens, Adding 2.5 MW of Capacity in Southern Colorado

Black Hills Energy today announced that it has selected US Solar to deliver 2.5 megawatts (MW) DC of solar power for Southern Colorado customers through two new community solar gardens (Solar Gardens).

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PUEBLO, Colo., May 19, 2021 – Black Hills Energy today announced that it has selected US Solar to deliver 2.5 megawatts (MW) DC of solar power for Southern Colorado customers through two new community solar gardens (Solar Gardens). The two new projects, co-located along Highway 50 Business, just south of Vineland, include a 2 MW DC facility, five percent of which will serve low-income customers, and a 500-kilowatt (kW) DC garden completely reserved for low-income customers.  

US Solar is a developer, owner, operator and financier of solar generation projects, focusing on emerging state markets and community solar programs. US Solar will reserve a total of 600 kW of capacity for low-income customers and will also donate $100,000, evenly distributed across ten local nonprofits.

US Solar plans to host a groundbreaking ceremony at commencement of construction to welcome the community and distribute the donations.   The Solar Gardens are expected to begin construction this year. Subscriptions are still available to all Black Hills Energy customers in Pueblo, Cañon City and across its Southern Colorado territory. To learn more about Black Hills Energy’s community solar garden program visit https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/services/colorado-solar-program/community-solar-garden​. Customers can get more information and sign up for a subscription to US Solar’s Solar Gardens at us-solar.com/co-bhe.

“We look forward to partnering with US Solar as we continue to expand our Southern Colorado community solar garden program,” said Devin Moeller, renewable energy manager for Black Hills Energy. “Solar gardens help our customers use renewable energy even if they are unable to invest in rooftop solar, while helping us support Colorado’s vision for a clean energy future.”  

“We’re excited to help Black Hills Energy expand its community solar garden capacity, while also fulfilling our mission to make solar energy more accessible,” said Reed Richerson, COO of US Solar. “We’re looking forward to partnering with Southern Colorado to support its clean energy and community development goals.”  

In addition to clean energy production, US Solar will also be planting pollinator-friendly native vegetation at the Solar Garden site, which will decrease stormwater runoff, enhance soil regeneration, and increase air quality in the surrounding community while providing pollinator habitat.

Black Hills Energy expects to construct six new community solar gardens by the end of 2021, including the two developed by US Solar. This will bring the total number of Black Hills Energy community solar gardens to 10, for a total capacity of 10.5 MW. Total space reserved for low-income customers will exceed 2.5 MW.

Black Hills Energy will select developers for an additional 5 MW DC of community solar garden capacity in the next two years.  


About Black Hills Corporation
Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer focused, growth-oriented utility company with a tradition of improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company serves 1.28 million natural gas and electric utility customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. More information is available at www.blackhillscorp.com.

About US Solar 
United States Solar Corporation ("US Solar") makes solar energy accessible with simple solutions that are as good for the wallet as they are for the environment. US Solar is a developer, owner, operator, and financier of solar generation projects with a focus on emerging state markets and community solar programs. US Solar helps residents, public entities, and businesses reduce electricity costs with local, renewable energy. Additional information about US Solar and community solar subscriptions can be found by visiting https://us-solar.com/ and https://facebook.com/USSOLARcorp/. 

​Media contact: marketing@us-solar.com