Bighorn solar
300MW powering the world’s first steel mill to run almost entirely on solar power
300MWᴅᴄ
/198MWᴀᴄ capacity
433,770
metric tons of CO2 saved per year
92,100
fuel-burning cars taken off road (equivalent)
300
local jobs created
$22M
local tax revenue
Site selection & preliminary design
Stakeholder outreach
Permitting & environmental studies
Land management & biodiversity planning
Final engineering, financing & construction
Operation & maintenance
Decommissioning & recycling
One of Colorado’s largest solar projects, Bighorn Solar in the city of Pueblo entered commercial operation in December 2021. Lightsource bp developed, financed, and will continue to own and operate the 300 megawatt utility-scale solar project. Electricity generated from Bighorn Solar is delivered into the grid and purchased by Xcel Energy under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Lightsource bp. Xcel Energy is a major U.S. regulated electric and natural gas delivery company that serves approximately 3.7 million electricity and 2.1 million natural gas customers across parts of eight Midwestern and Western states.
Xcel Energy delivers electricity from Bighorn Solar to the EVRAZ North America Rocky Mountain Steel mill in Pueblo, one of the city’s largest employers. With its 20-year, fixed rate PPA structure, Bighorn Solar provides low-cost, stable electricity prices that the steel mill needed to stay in Pueblo and invest in its future there, supporting more than 1,000 jobs in the local community.
Bighorn Solar supports the broader Colorado Energy Plan, which will deliver 55% renewable energy to the grid by 2026 and reduce carbon emissions by 60%, as well as Xcel Energy’s bold vision to deliver 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050.
Xcel Energy and Lightsource bp are incredibly proud of this solar project, and the opportunities it offers the organizations and the local communities.
“If you were wondering what a renewable energy future would look like, this is a great example.” – Colorado Governor Jared Polis, speaking at the announcement press conference

Information and resources
We’ve put together a collection of resources for anyone who’d like to know more about our Bighorn Solar project
Solar farm FAQs
We’ve received lots of interest in our Bighorn Solar project, so we’ve put together a list of the most commonly asked questions, and their answers.
News Coverage
Press conference held 27 September 2019
Xcel Energy, partners announce deal for large solar facility at Pueblo steel mill
Lightsource bp and McCarthy Building Companies Partner on Bighorn Solar Project in Pueblo, Colorado
Financial close and construction announcement
Lightsource bp launches Bighorn Solar Project in Colorado
#AmericanCleanPowerWeek video featuring Bighorn Solar
Solar project forges a bright future for Colorado steel mill
Stories
Find out more about our Responsible Solar approach
Helping make solar technology and job training accessible to underserved communities
Our partnership with GRID Alternatives in Colorado
Restoring prairie and sinking carbon in Colorado
Sinking carbon on solar farms: A new kind of PV + Storage
Recycling and lifecycle management of solar panels
Our commitment to recycling solar panels
Videos of our Bighorn Solar project
Here are some project specific updates:

Bighorn: Where solar meets steel
The EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Steel Mill will become the first steel mill to run almost entirely on solar power.

American Clean Power Week
Our Bighorn Solar project was featured during American Clean Power Week, 2021.
Gallery

Get in touch
If you’d like to find out more about this project, email USCommunityRelations@lightsourcebp.com, or fill out this form. We aim to get back to you within five working days.
USCommunityRelations@lightsourcebp.com
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