Solar, Sourcing Renewables  -  May 18, 2021

City of Pueblo Housing Authority Partners to Build Solar Garden

A solar garden with enough photovoltaic (PV) energy to power 200 households each year is being built by a partnership joining the Housing Authority for the City of Pueblo (HACP) Colorado, with Johnson Controls, GRID Alternatives Colorado, and Capital Dynamics. There will be no upfront costs to the city as the three companies worked together to design, build, install and maintain the two-megawatt community solar garden for HACP.

"HACP plans to direct annual energy cost savings from the 2 MW project to a community solar benefit plan, which will support job training, and educational opportunities in addition to other program and financial assistance that will improve quality of life for our residents – all supported through sustainable, local energy," said Frank Pacheco, executive director, the Housing Authority of the City of Pueblo in a statement. "HACP is pleased to partner with the City of Pueblo, Johnson Controls, and GRID Alternatives to install this community solar garden." 

One of six contracted projects, the solar garden's PV system is composed of ground-mounted solar panels. The energy will power a mix of multifamily affordable housing properties and those of qualified low-income residents. Building the project will also allow hands-on solar training and employment opportunities for those in the local community.

"This community solar project is reducing energy costs for low- to moderate-income individuals and offering new career pathways for our residents, right in our backyard," said City of Pueblo Councilman Larry Atencio, who supported the project from an early stage. "We look forward to working with Johnson Controls, GRID Alternatives and Black Hills Energy on future projects that position the City of Pueblo as a leader in an equitable transition to renewable energy."

"Renewable energy has the power to lift up communities," said Adrienne Dorsey, executive director of GRID Alternatives Colorado. "The installation of this two-megawatt solar project is a great example of how partners from the public, private and non-profit sectors can work together to advance the transition to a world powered by renewable energy that benefits everyone."

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