JACKSON, Wyo. — Energy Conservation Works (ECW) and Lower Valley Energy (LVE) have announced significant progress on Wyoming’s first residential community solar project. The initiative, designed to offer affordable clean energy, has secured land and released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the construction of a 1MW solar and battery energy storage facility.
Community solar enables LVE members to benefit from solar energy without the upfront costs or need for roof space. Subscribers will receive a monthly bill credit for a portion of the solar energy produced, lowering their electricity bill. This project reinvests local and federal tax dollars into the community and promotes long-term environmental sustainability. By generating electricity locally and incorporating battery storage, community solar helps reduce the need to purchase more expensive electricity to power our homes and businesses.
Why Community Solar?
Community solar is an effective tool for meeting sustainability goals, enhancing grid resilience and providing energy relief to local families. With the support of the 2022 SPET Community Energy Leverage Fund and the Inflation Reduction Act, this project promises significant benefits to the community.
Key developments:
RFP Released: Contractors are invited to bid on the project via the Town of Jackson bid website. This follows the successful lease agreement with a landowner in Lincoln County, after evaluating over a dozen potential sites for minimal environmental impact. A pre-bid meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at LVE’s headquarters, followed by a site visit.
First-of-Its-Kind Project: The community solar farm will be the first in Wyoming to offer subscriptions to residential users. The project builds on the success of ECW’s 2018 Local Government Shared Solar Project which provides similar energy savings to the Town of Jackson and Teton County.
Funding and Affordability: Subscription costs will be kept low through the support of federal and local funding, including ECW’s 2022 SPET funding and the Inflation Reduction Act. The project has also gained recognition from the Department of Energy for its affordability and innovative approach to energy burden relief.
Subscription details:
Availability: Subscriptions are expected to be available in Fall 2024 for approximately 400-600 homes.
Costs: Final subscription costs will be announced soon. The project aims to provide lower costs compared to rooftop panels, with additional programs for low and middle-income households.
Join this contact list to receive updates and detailed information about subscriptions as they become available: https://energyconservationworks.nationbuilder.com/communitysolar
For more information on the RFP and project updates, visit the Town of Jackson bid website.
