The 25–250 kW sweet spot
A 25–250 kW array covers a large retail roof, a manufacturing shop or a school building. Black Hills’ production incentive for that range was paid per kilowatt-hour generated, so it rewards systems that actually produce, not just nameplate size. The plan period ends in 2026, so we confirm availability for your in-service date before modeling it.
Farms along the Arkansas Valley
East of the city, irrigated farms — including Pueblo’s chile growers — run pumps during the growing season, a load that lines up with solar production. San Isabel and Black Hills both serve farm accounts, and interconnection rules differ; ground mounts near the pump are usually the right design.
USDA REAP grants were paused in April 2026, while guaranteed loans remain open. Check current status before building a plan on it.
Federal timeline
As of September 2026, §48E is still available for commercial solar, generally requiring placed-in-service by December 31, 2027 for projects that didn’t begin construction by July 4, 2026. Storage keeps §48E through construction starts in 2033. 100% bonus depreciation applies to qualifying property — ask your CPA.
FAQ
Questions we hear
Does Black Hills Energy pay incentives for commercial solar in Pueblo?
Its 2023–2026 plan included a per-kWh production incentive for 25–250 kW commercial systems. Confirm it’s still offered for your install date.
Is solar a good fit for irrigation pumps near Avondale or Boone?
Often, since irrigation runs during sunny months. The economics depend on your rate, how many months the pumps run, and how much you’d export in the off-season.
Do San Isabel Electric businesses get the Black Hills commercial incentive?
No — Black Hills incentives apply only to Black Hills customers. San Isabel commercial members are guaranteed net metering for at least 25 kW under state co-op rules; larger systems depend on the co-op.