A solar farm near Tulia, which also has a herd of over one thousand sheep, recently celebrated its 1-year anniversary and shared how it has benefitted Swisher County and ERCOT grid stability.
Hornet Solar, developed by Vesper Energy, announced that in 2025 alone, it contributed more than $5 million to the community and generated 1.5 million megawatt-hours of electricity, according to a company news release.
“Texas is growing fast, and so is the demand for reliable power. Hornet Solar has delivered more than 1.5 million megawatt-hours to the ERCOT grid in its first year and over five million dollars in tax revenue flowing directly to local schools, hospitals, and services in Swisher County,” said Juan Suarez, Co-CEO of Vesper Energy. “This is what successful development and power generation looks like, and it is the standard we intend to carry forward.”
One of Vesper’s contributions includes more than $4,000 to the Tulia Volunteer Fire Department, so it could buy a utility trailer for the department’s emergency side-by-side vehicle.
“This support improves how we respond to emergencies across the county,” saidChief Johnny Shelburne, Tulia Fire Department. “New equipment, including a trailer that allows us to reach remote and hard-to-access areas, enhances our response times and firefighting capabilities.”
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Vesper has also given more than $31,000 to local nonprofits, community programs and first responders, which has gone on to support youth sports, food access and emergency services, according to the release.
During the Hornet Solar project, it spent more than $1.8 million with regional businesses, including Rock Hard Trucking, Bed Rock Caliche, High Plains Concrete, Swisher Tires, and Ed Harris Lumber. Through that, it created 450 construction jobs, mostly local, and made nine permanent positions.
“The economic growth spurred by Hornet Solar is making a real difference in Swisher County,” said Swisher County Commissioner Larry Buske. “These funds directly support the businesses and services our community relies on every day, and we look forward to the benefits that will continue to come from this long-term partnership.”
Alana Edgin writes about business for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip? Contact her via email at aedgin@lubbockonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Hornet Solar project shares economic impact on Swisher County
Reporting by Alana Edgin, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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