Big Elk Solar | 115MW in Nebraska
About the Big Elk solar project
Lightsource bp’s 115MW Big Elk solar project is currently under development in Washington County, Nebraska. The privately funded $180.8 million renewable energy project will deliver low–cost electricity into the local grid, boosting Nebraska’s energy mix. It also will offset carbon dioxide emissions by 138,000 metric tons each year.
115MWdc
home-grown renewable energy generated, enough to power 18,000 average US homes
138,000,000 metric tons
carbon emissions abated each year
150+
jobs created during construction
$13.2 million
in property taxes, benefiting local schools & public services
$180 million
private capital investment in STATE energy infrastructure
Site Selection & Preliminary Design
Stakeholder outreach
Permitting & environmental studies
Land management & biodiversity planning
Final engineering, financing & construction
Operation & maintenance
Decommissioning & recycling
Community dialogue – we want to be a good neighbor
Our dedicated Community Relations team works to maximize the positive community impacts of our projects.
To connect with a Community Relations Manager, please email USCommunityRelations@lightsourcebp.com.
If you are a member of the media, please visit our Press Center.
How solar farms work
Solar farms add energy to the local electric grid, just like other electric power plants. Rows of solar panels produce the electricity, which flows through the grid to power places like homes, businesses, schools and hospitals.
Solar panels are mounted on structures called racking. Racking sits on posts that raise the panels above the ground, on posts that take up less than 5% of the land. With significant open space under the panels, in the rows and in buffer areas to plant site-specific grasses and other vegetation, we set a goal of increasing biodiversity in the first 5 years of operation. We also integrate agriculture where practical.
The racking is equipped with smart solar trackers that slowly and quietly rotate throughout the day, following the sun to maximize solar energy production. These smart trackers serve other important purposes, too: they help protect solar panels from hailstorms, high winds and buildup of snow on solar panels.
Best practices for solar development
Lightsource bp has a deep commitment to delivering safe and affordable renewable energy, as well as maximizing the environmental sustainability and positive social impacts of our projects. We are intentional with every detail, from the fencing we choose to the vegetation we plant. We want our projects to be great additions to the local community.
Environment and aesthetics
- Adding buffer zones of greenspace with trees and shrubs between the solar panels and public view .
- Installing game fencing— consistent with the local aesthetic of the area—around the project, as opposed to industry-standard chain link fencing.
- Planting vegetation under and around the solar panels, with a seed mix customized for the local area. These seed mixes help to increase biodiversity and improve soil health.
Planning for lifetime success
- Development of comprehensive drainage and traffic management plans.
- Budgeting for consistent maintenance and upkeep of the facility.
- Preparing a decommissioning plan to ensure that the project will be removed at the end of its life.
- Committing to recycling all solar panels: Lightsource bp has a zero landfill policy for solar panels.
Making a local impact
A solar farm is so much more than energy production. It can boost biodiversity on the land. It can provide new tax revenue to your community. It’s a new, year-round type of harvest for your neighbor farmers that helps them keep their land for future generations.
Long-term benefits
In addition to generating affordable, renewable energy forNebraska’s electrical grid, development of the land with home-grown solar has several additional long-term benefits, including:
- Rest and regeneration of the land during the project’s life, improving soil health and preserving it for future use.
- Healthy groundcover under and around the panels that supports local biodiversity, creating a stable, long-term home for plants, pollinators, birds and other wildlife.
- Opportunity for integrated agriculture such as sheep grazing or bee keeping.
- Rural resilience through continued local ownership of the land with long–term lease payments.
- Energy security and independence from foreign sources of fuel.
Economic growth for the community
The Big Elk sola project represents an estimated $180.+ million private investment into home-grown, affordable energy for Nebraska.
- Throughout its life, the project will contribute $13.2 million to the local tax base, benefitting local school systems and many other community public services.
- During peak construction, the project will create 150-200 jobs, prioritizing the hiring of local subcontractors and local labor.
- Lightsource bp is committed to supporting philanthropic activities and charitable donations to local organizations.
Information and resources
We’ve put together a collection of resources for anyone who’d like to know more about utility-scale solar energy.
Solar farm FAQs
We’ve put together a list of the most commonly asked questions, and their answers.
Solar energy basics
National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)
Lightsource bp educational materials
Solar panel safety and recycling
Complaint Filing Procedure
Complaints can be submitted through the following means:
- US Community Relations email address: uscommunityrelations@lightsourcebp.com
- Lightsource bp office phone number: 1 (415) 523-0200
- US Mail: Big Elk Solar, 400 Montgomery Street, 8th Floor San Francisco, CA 94104
Individuals filing a complaint should include their name, contact information, date of complaint, description of complaint (including location, date, and time of incident, as applicable) and any other relevant details to aid in resolution.
Complaint Review Process
Our designated staff will contact the complainant within five (5) business days of receiving a complaint. During this call or email, we will confirm the issue, identify the relevant site, and establish the best way to stay in touch. We will also provide a specific timeframe for follow-up.
All complaints are logged in our stakeholder management platform to track progress and resolution time. We will assign the issue to the most appropriate internal team member and share relevant details. A subject matter expert (SME) will work on finding a resolution and provide updates as needed.
We are committed to resolving complaints as quickly as possible and will provide regular updates. In some cases, unexpected delays may occur, or a complaint may be deemed unresolvable. If this happens, we will inform the complainant and explain the situation.