A message by Energy Conservation Works
JACKSON, Wyo. — Wyoming families and businesses care about affordable, reliable power. That is exactly why Lower Valley Energy and Energy Conservation Works continue working to develop Wyoming’s first community solar project.
Community solar is a practical, locally controlled energy project designed to diversify local energy resources, strengthen grid resilience, and help stabilize long-term electricity costs for cooperative members.
The project itself is modest in scale — approximately one megawatt of power on about seven acres of land — and would be owned by our local member-owned co-operative, Lower Valley Energy. Unlike large commercial solar developments built to export power elsewhere, this project is designed specifically to serve its members across the cooperative’s service territory.
The electricity generated would feed directly into Lower Valley Energy’s local system, helping reduce dependence on more expensive purchased power over time and supporting long-term rate stability for members. The project would also create an opportunity for members to voluntarily subscribe to local solar generation without needing to install rooftop panels themselves.
For many families, rooftop solar simply is not realistic. Some people rent. Others have shaded roofs, live in condos or townhomes, face high upfront installation costs, or do not want the maintenance responsibility of a rooftop system. Community solar creates another option.
Importantly, participation would be voluntary, and members who choose not to subscribe would not bear the project’s costs.
Project costs
The project is expected to be funded through subscriber revenue, federal tax credits, and approximately $1.9 million in voter-approved Teton County SPET funding. That investment helps lower project costs and makes participation more affordable. It also means non-subscribing Lower Valley Energy members would receive the benefit of price-competitive solar at no cost to them
A portion of the project is also expected to be reserved for income-qualified members so that more Wyoming families can access the benefits of affordable local energy.
Project impact
Energy Conservation Works originally identified a potential project site in Star Valley because it was close to existing utility infrastructure and access roads, minimizing disturbance while allowing efficient connection to the local grid. The utility submitted a Conditional Use Permit application for that site, and both Lincoln County Planning staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval.
However, some residents had concerns and questions about the location. In response, LVE recently withdrew the permit application and is taking additional time to listen, improve communication, and continue evaluating potential sites.
That does not mean the project is over. It means the cooperative is working to get it right.
Reasonable people can disagree about land use and siting decisions. Those conversations are important. People care deeply about open space, agriculture, wildlife, neighboring properties, and the character of their communities. Those concerns deserve to be heard respectfully and addressed thoughtfully.
But it is equally important that conversations about community solar be based on accurate information.
This is not a large-scale industrial energy project. Once operational, the facility would have no regular traffic, no artificial lighting, no ongoing industrial noise, and minimal maintenance activity. Future project plans would also include setbacks from roads and nearby homes, vegetation buffers, fencing, limited construction hours, and a full decommissioning and restoration plan at the end of the project’s operational life.
Projects like this can also help support working lands. A long-term lease can provide stable supplemental income to landowners while leaving the vast majority of a property available for agriculture. In some cases, that additional income can help families keep land intact and avoid subdivision or sale for intensive development.
Lower Valley Energy continues to evaluate potential locations and project options. A successful site will likely require approximately 5 to 15 acres, proximity to existing utility infrastructure, reasonable road access, and a willing landowner interested in a long-term lease arrangement.
This approach reflects the values of a member-owned cooperative. Lower Valley Energy is not interested in creating “winners” and “losers” between communities. The goal is to develop a project that benefits members broadly while respecting the communities involved.
Community solar can be a win for Wyoming communities, a win for electric cooperative members, and a win for families who want access to affordable renewable energy options.
Wyoming’s energy future will require practical solutions that maintain reliability, expand customer choice, and help keep electricity affordable over the long term. That is why Lower Valley Energy and Energy Conservation Works remain committed to continuing this work thoughtfully, collaboratively, and transparently.
