Bighorn Solar
300MW powering the world’s first steel mill to run almost entirely on solar power
About the Bighorn Solar project
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
News & Announcements
#AmericanCleanPowerWeek video featuring Bighorn Solar
Solar project forges a bright future for Colorado steel mill
Lightsource bp launches Bighorn Solar Project in Colorado
Financial close and construction announcement
Lightsource bp and McCarthy Building Companies Partner on Bighorn Solar Project in Pueblo, Colorado
Denver Post: Xcel Energy, partners announce deal for large solar facility at Pueblo steel mill
300MWᴅᴄ
/240MWᴀᴄ capacity
433,770
metric tons of CO2 saved per year
92,100
fuel-burning cars taken off road (equivalent)
300
local jobs created
Site selection & preliminary design
Stakeholder outreach
Permitting & environmental studies
Land management & biodiversity planning
Final engineering, financing & construction
Operation & maintenance
Decommissioning & recycling
Responsible Solar Stories
Find out more about our Responsible Solar approach
Restoring prairie, raising sheep and sinking carbon in Colorado
Sinking carbon on solar farms: A new kind of PV + Storage
Helping make solar technology and job training accessible to underserved communities
Our partnership with GRID Alternatives in Colorado
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
Connect with a community relations manager
Lightsource bp is dedicated to supporting communities that are home to our solar projects across America. We have a Community Relations team that works closely with our neighbors to maximize the positive social impacts of our projects.
If you would like 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.
Lightsource bp has been a proud supporter of Pueblo’s Minnequa Elementary and the Care & Share Food Pantry since 2020.
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: Bighorn Solar, 400 Montgomery Street, 8th Floor San Francisco, CA 94104
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. 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.
