MEAN Solar Portfolio
Timeline
2021 – 2025
Project Name
MEAN Community Solar
Location
Colorado, Nebraska, and Iowa
MEAN Portfolio
In 2021, MEAN awarded a Joint Request for Proposal to Sandhills Energy for a community solar project designed to provide up to 5% of energy usage to 16 municipalities across 15 solar installations in Colorado, Iowa, and Nebraska.
Our team worked closely with each community to contract the energy output of their respective projects through power purchase agreements. We’re proud to say that all 15 sites are now operational, and by completing these solar installations in tandem throughout 2024 and 2025, we were able to achieve economies of scale that would not be otherwise possible. This community solar project now delivers a combined 21.3MW to the 16 participating communities.
MEAN Community Solar at a Glance
15 Site Portfolio
Colorado: Delta, Fort Morgan, Wray, and Yuma
Iowa: Indianola, Sergeant Bluff, and Waverly
Nebraska: Alliance, Ansley, Crete, Gering, Imperial, Pender, Pierce*, Sidney, and Stuart*
*Village of Stuart sharing project site with City of Pierce
Delivered Directly to MEAN
Portions of the community solar portfolio generate electricity that is delivered directly to MEAN, strengthening local supply and supporting long-term energy planning.
- Alliance: 5.4 MW AC
- Gering: 2.88 MW AC
- Sidney: 2.2 MW AC
- Yuma: 2.3 MW AC
USDA Funding
We continually work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fund projects in ways that pass savings to local rate-payers.
Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) Program loans have helped to keep power rates low for MEAN member communities, powering thousands of homes in villages and cities where power is most needed.
- $30 million for nine solar facilities in Nebraska, generating 7.8 megawatts of renewable energy.
- $12 million for four solar facilities in Colorado, totaling 7.8 megawatts of renewable energy.
- $7 million for three solar facilities and power purchase agreements in Iowa, generating 7.6 megawatts of renewable energy.
Through the PACE Program, Power Purchase Agreements will result in an approximate $11,239,176 of total savings to Nebraska communities in MEAN portfolio.
Community Benefits
Energy Rate Stability: Our fixed-rate power purchase agreements (with predictable yearly escalators) help communities plan ahead and avoid the peaks and valleys of volatile energy prices.
Local Growth: We supplement the permanent workforce with apprenticeship programs for local team members, helping communities build long-term skilled labor capacity.
MREA Training: Education through the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) leads to careers in the solar industry, and we offset the cost to help residents gain new skills and qualifications to advance their careers. We also offered virtual training to reach additional people who want to join the solar industry.
Related Case Studies
Discover more of our renewable energy projects.
Wind Power
Kimball
Kimball Wind LLC is a 30MW wind farm in Kimball County, Nebraska, developed by Sandhills Energy LLC and acquired by Aspenall Energies in 2017. The project received final permitting approval third quarter 2017 and Aspenall commenced construction shortly thereafter.
Solar Energy
MEAN Solar Portfolio
We’re proud to say that all 15 sites in the MEAN Portfolio are now operational, and by completing these solar installations in tandem throughout 2024 and 2025, we were able to achieve economies of scale that would not be otherwise possible.
Wind Power
Valentine
Valentine Wind, LLC is a 1.85 MW wind turbine owned by Bluestem Energy Solutions. The project was developed for Cherry County Wind, the largest land cooperative in the United States.