Installation of the ground- based solar array will begin in July with full operation scheduled for late this fall.

The University will purchase the electricity generated by the solar array from BP Solar, who will install and operate the system. Black Hills Energy will purchase the solar on-site renewable energy credits generated from the system from BP Solar.

The system will be constructed on the east side of campus between the physical plant complex and the softball fields on a strip of land that could not easily serve any other purpose.

"We view this as an extension of the commitment the University and the CSU System have made to renewable and sustainable energy," said CSU-Pueblo President Joseph Garcia.

"Because this solar array will be visible from new facilities being constructed to support our new athletic programs and the planned development on our eastern campus border, it will serve as a strong statement about the University's commitment to supporting sustainable energy resources."

"We are proud to be able to bring large-scale solar energy to Pueblo," said Mary Shields, vice president of global sales and marketing for BP Solar. "The CSU-Pueblo campus is the perfect place to demonstrate the clean, efficient power that solar can provide to communities throughout Colorado and other parts of the U.S."

Garcia added that the new system supports Governor Ritter's New Energy Economy to make Colorado a hub for solar energy and supports Black Hills Energy's effort to bring more solar energy to Colorado. As part of its Solar Rebate Program, Black Hills Energy will provide a $200,000 upfront rebate incentive for the installation of the solar system.

The program helps Black Hills Energy meet Colorado's Renewable Energy Standard, which requires that five percent of Black Hills Energy's electricity sales be generated from renewable sources.

"Black Hills Energy is excited to be a part of this project and about the solar energy contribution this system will provide CSU-Pueblo," said Gary Stone, Black Hills Energy vice president for Colorado electric operations.

"Combined with the Black Hills Energy Solar Rebate Program, biomass and wind resources already in use, the CSU-Pueblo solar system builds on Black Hills Energy's commitment to renewable energy for the communities we serve in Colorado."

With new facilities being brought on-line during the next six months, including a new $11.2 million student recreation center, CSU-Pueblo estimates the completed project will generate savings in utility costs and help absorb the cost of increased demand.

Garcia said the project is a winning venture for all three partners.

"In short, this project will help control the University's utility costs as prices and usage increase, promote the use of sustainable resources, help satisfy Black Hills Energy's state mandates, and allow BP Solar to bring a major solar project to Southern Colorado," Garcia said.

Smart Growth Advocates (SGA), a local non-profit, connected the partners last year.

"Assembling the combined talents of a team of this caliber ensured results which exceeded expectations. Our goal was to highlight the effectiveness of public-private partnerships to deliver concrete sustainable solutions, and we are elated with the result," said Vickie Massam, SGA President.

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