Hesperus Solar Project

La Plata County, CO

155 MWac solar + 155 MW battery storage

Over 300,000 photovoltaic (PV) panels

1,900 acre property site

Project Benefits

The Hesperus Solar Project is a 155 MWac solar + 155 MW storage project currently under development 8 miles southwest of Durango, Colorado, on approximately 1,900 acres of private and public land, partially within the Southern Ute Reservation boundary. Primergy is working closely with local leaders to align the project with community priorities. The project would generate clean, affordable energy, create local jobs, and contribute up to $57 million in new tax revenue, including $19.3 million in personal property taxes.

Land Use

Hesperus Solar will includea low-impact solar facility, a battery energy storage system, and electricalinfrastructure. A portion of the site will remain under local ownership, with annual lease payments benefiting local landowners and Fort Lewis College. Primergy will partner with a vegetation managementspecialist to develop a vegetation and maintenance plan that considers soilhealth, native vegetation, and land stewardship. Ecologically suitable plantsand native seed mixes will be used for revegetation of temporarily impactedareas, and the land will be maintained throughout operations.

Economic Impact

Sales Tax: Hesperus Solar would generate up to $5.5 million in county sales tax revenue on imported equipment alone over the life of the project. These tax revenues would provide substantial resources to La Plata County that may be directed toward public safety, road upgrades, and infrastructure improvement.

Property Tax: Hesperus Solar is estimated to provide an additional $19.3 million in personal property taxes for La Plata County tax districts over the life of the project, including over $11 million for the Durango School District and District Bond, and over $4 million for the Ft. Lewis Mesa Fire District.

Local Economic Impact: The total economic impact of the project in La Plata County is estimated to be $247.6 million over the life of the project. During construction, the total economic impact resulting from the project’s investment in La Plata County would increase the size of the county’s economic output by 1.2 percent.

Ongoing Community Engagement

Primergy is committed to engaging with the surrounding community to ensure the project is designed with local priorities in mind. This includes hosting public meetings and open forums to gather feedback, address concerns, and collaborate with local organizations and leaders to identify opportunities for shared benefits. Primergy is also conducting field surveys and discussions to understand local needs and explore opportunities for workforce development, educational programs, and environmental stewardship. Primergy aims to create a project that aligns with community values while delivering lasting benefits to the region.

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FAQs

When will Hesperus be under construction and how long will it take to complete construction?

Hesperus is expected to begin construction in 2029. Project construction may be delayed or accelerated based on multiple factors including permitting, the availability of materials, and electricity offtake arrangements.

Once the project starts construction, it will take approximately 14-20 months to complete and begin delivering clean, low-cost solar energy.

What safety measures are in place for the project?

Primergy Solar takes all measures to ensure safe operations. Electricity generated with solar panels emits no greenhouse gases and no air or water pollutants. An assessment of the full lifecycle of solar panels concludes they have 4% of total greenhouse gas emissions than a coal-fired plant.^[1]

The project will be monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from our remote operations desk. This ensures that we are aware of the operations at the site at all times.

^[1]^{https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/health-and-safety-impacts-of-solar-photovoltaics}

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Will the solar panels affect viewshed?

Primergy has designed the project to minimize visual impact. The site uses natural topography and vegetation as buffers, and the panels have anti-reflective coatings to reduce glare.

How can I provide feedback?

Primergy appreciates your questions and comments. Please email hesperus@primergysolar.com and we will get back to you!

How are solar projects safely monitored?

Primergy Solar takes all measures to ensure safe operations. The Project will be overseen by a dedicated on-site operations and maintenance team, complemented by round-the-clock monitoring, to ensure awareness of ongoings at the site at all times.