Clean Energy Collective and southern Colorado electric utility Black Hills Energy have announced their plans to bring the first roofless community solar facility to Pueblo, Colo. and the surrounding area.

Black Hills Energy's electric customers in Colorado will be able to purchase individual panels in the 120 kW shared solar PV array, developed and operated by CEC, and receive direct credit on their Black Hills Energy electric bill for the power produced. In addition to the financial and environmental benefits to the community, a portion of the array has been earmarked at a significantly reduced rate for Posada, an income-based housing program in Pueblo.

Posada's executive director, Anne Stattelman, conveyed her appreciation for the roofless solar facility's role in benefitting Pueblo's homeless families. "Posada is happy to partner with Black Hills Energy, the Clean Energy Collective and local contractors on this project. The cost savings will allow Posada to shelter additional homeless families and will give the agency a tool in conserving energy and planning its energy future."

The array will be the first roofless community solar project for Black Hills Energy. It supports the utility's much broader efforts to introduce more choices in renewable energy for its 95,000 Colorado electric customers. Black Hills chose CEC's model because it provides a turn-key solution that has been well vetted with several utilities in Colorado and other states, including cooperative, municipal, and other investor-owned utilities.

"Other communities have successfully utilized these types of facilities to extend the economic benefits of solar energy to community members who would not typically be in a position to take advantage of them," said Christopher Burke, vice-president of Black Hills Energy's Colorado electric utility operations. "We are very pleased to partner with both Clean Energy Collective and Posada to bring similar benefits to the Pueblo community."

As part of the agreement, Black Hills Energy required that a portion of the energy produced by the array be made available to low-income residents within its service territory.

To this end, CEC and Black Hills selected Posada, the Pueblo-based organization that provides housing and supportive services to homeless individuals and families in Pueblo County, as a key partner in providing these benefits to qualifying Pueblo residents due to its expertise in managing housing initiatives on behalf of this key demographic. Posada will purchase 12 kW, about 10 percent, of the array from CEC at a significant discount, which will benefit participants in Posada's program.

"We are excited to help Black Hills Energy offer its customers a solar energy option," said Clean Energy Collective's founder and CEO Paul Spencer. "We are equally excited that Posada's participation will help individuals and families even more."