MEAN Celebrates Completion of Colorado Solar Projects
Sandhills Energy and the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) are celebrating the end of two solar projects that are part of a 16-project community solar portfolio. The two projects in Delta and Fort Morgan, Colorado, are part of MEAN’s supply area, which includes 60 cities in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wyoming.
Delta’s 875-kW Solar Facility
The new 875-kW plant in Delta will help meet some of the city’s peak energy needs and provide the city with a wider range of power sources. The array will make the grid more stable and keep costs stable for people and businesses in the area.
Adam Suppes, Delta Municipal Light & Power Manager, adds,
“The facility shows Delta’s commitment to take charge of our energy future.”
“This installation makes Delta’s local grid stronger and helps us better control energy prices for our clients. The project was made with Delta’s requirements in mind, which helps us reach our aim of giving our citizens dependable, long-lasting electricity and value.”
Fort Morgan’s 3.8-MW Solar Installation
The 3.8-MW plant at Fort Morgan is one of the biggest solar projects in the MEAN portfolio. The project is expected to produce enough electricity to power 850 houses per year. It improves the city’s energy mix and creates jobs and other advantages for the local economy throughout the building and operation.
Brent Nation, the City Manager, states,
“Fort Morgan is proud to be part of this growing network of communities investing in renewable, reliable energy.”
“Our city has a long history of coming up with new ideas, from the first irrigation reservoirs to the use of electric streetlights in 1906. This solar project is just the next step in that history.”
“It will help keep our energy prices steady, generate employment in the area, and show that Fort Morgan is committed to responsible development and sustainability.”
Expanding Portfolio Across Four States
In 2021, Sandhills Energy worked with MEAN and its member cities to build 15 solar systems in Colorado, Iowa, and Nebraska. More than half of the solar projects are now up and running. They let the member towns produce some of their own electricity locally. The portfolio’s power satisfies up to 5% of the city’s energy demand and protects against changes in wholesale prices. The new partnership helps these communities become energy independent:
- Colorado: Delta, Fort Morgan, Wray, and Yuma;
- Iowa: Indianola, Sergeant Bluf, and Waverly;
- Nebraska: Alliance, Ansley, Crete, Gering, Imperial, Pender, Pierce, Sidney, and Stuart.
