New Community Solar Project Coming to Scottsbluff

SCOTTSBLUFF, NE — A new 5.2-megawatt (MW-dc) solar project is coming to Scottsbluff, Nebraska following the execution of a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) between Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) and Sol Systems. The PPA rate, at $0.0519 per kilowatt-hour, is the lowest rate NPPD has executed on under its SunWise^SM community solar program.

The project is being financed and developed by Sol Systems, with the co-development and engineering, procurement, and construction support of GenPro Energy Solutions and Mesner Development. The solar array, which will be adjacent to the Landers Soccer Complex, will include over 14,000 panels that will track the sun throughout the day.

“This project will help the city achieve its goal to reduce our carbon footprint and stabilize city costs for the next 25 years,” said Nathan D. Johnson, City Manager, City of Scottsbluff.  “Through projects like this, we hope to offer an affordable “green” option to our residents, both residential and commercial, to reap the benefits as well.” 

The new Lander solar array is the second Scottsbluff community solar project developed under NPPD’s SunWise^SM community solar program. The community also has a 112-kilowatt array located on South Beltline Highway that has been operational since 2017, which was financed and developed by Mesner Development and constructed by GenPro. The shares of that project were fully subscribed within a few days after shares became available to NPPD customers.

Since 2017, Mesner Development, GenPro Energy Solutions, and Sol Systems have collaborated to serve NPPD and other Nebraska public power districts as they seek to add solar to their energy portfolios. To date, the companies have developed, constructed, or financed a combined 17.6 MW of solar electric generating capacity across the state.

“This team initiative together with GenPro Energy Solutions and Mesner Development allows us to offer a seamless, complete package of expert development services, and best in class construction, with a secure, competitive source of financing that maximizes the value of solar projects in Nebraska,” said Yuri Horwitz, CEO at Sol Systems.

Construction of the Landers Soccer Complex solar project is expected to break ground during the summer of 2019 and the array will go into operation by the end of the year. Scottsbluff businesses and residents can contact NPPD to learn more about the project or apply to become a subscriber.