Officials Celebrate Groundbreaking of Kansas' First Community Solar Array

Clean Energy Collective (CEC) and Midwest Energy (MWE have broken ground on the Midwest Energy Community Solar Array, a 1.2 megawatt, state-of-the-art solar PV facility that will make solar ownership available to Midwest Energy's 50,000+ electric members.

Built in response to local demand for solar, Midwest Energy is the first utility in the state to offer the community-owned solar solution to its customers, bringing accessibility and affordability to solar ownership in Kansas.

CEC will manage construction, operation, and sales of the 3,960-panel facility being built on six acres in Colby, Kan. on land owned by MWE.

Midwest Energy also unveiled a rebate program that lowers panel prices to $891, or $2.92/Watt, a discount of $143 per panel. The rebate will be available for a limited time as funds remain available. Midwest Energy members who already have reserved panels will be eligible, as well as members making new reservations.

CEC's community solar model provides the opportunity for residential and business customers in a participating utility territory to benefit from solar through a shared utility-scale array without having to install a stand-alone system at their home or business.

Community solar customers receive the same rebates and incentives as residential system owners, and credit for the power produced appears directly on an owners' monthly utility bills. The array is sited and maintained to operate at peak efficiency, delivering clean, dependable power for decades.

For the Midwest Energy Community Solar Array, CEC will also be employing an innovative solar tracking system that will optimize direct sunlight collected throughout the day, further increasing energy production. Construction is expected to be completed and operational by early fall.