Colorado Springs Utilities brings 60 MW of solar energy online –

Today, Duke Energy and Colorado
Springs Utilities (Springs Utilities) announced the start of operation for a
new solar energy generating facility, the Palmer Solar project.

Containing more than 220,000
solar panels on about 700 acres southeast of Colorado Springs, Colo., the
60-MW Palmer Solar will provide solar electricity to Springs Utilities’
customers. This is the largest solar project contracted by Springs Utilities to
date and the first solar project to interconnect with its transmission system.

Under a 20-year agreement,
Springs Utilities will purchase the electricity Palmer Solar generates from
Duke Energy Renewables. The project was acquired by Duke Energy Renewables from
juwi Americas in May 2019. With this addition, Duke Energy Renewables has
two solar projects in Colorado totaling more than 70 megawatts.

During peak construction, the
Palmer Solar project employed as many as 200 individuals. It will also deliver
property tax revenues of approximately $5.2 million throughout the
life of the project to El Paso County.

Springs Utilities has increased
its renewable resources from 19 megawatts to 114 megawatts in the past six
months.

“In light of our present
challenges associated with COVID-19, our work continues to support our Energy
Vision. We are steadfast in our mission to provide reliable and environmentally
sustainable energy that reduces our carbon footprint,” said Aram
Benyamin, Springs Utilities CEO.

Play the video below to see an aerial view of the project.