Cornflower Solar & The Alamosa Community
Community Engagement
Korsail Energy is committed to connecting with the Alamosa County community in a positive and long-lasting way. We understand the importance of engaging with local partners and members of the community as we work to create benefits that uplift all.
Throughout the lifespan of the project, we collaborate with leaders from government, education, and the community, along with residents and landowners to ensure no perspective is left out.
Together with stakeholders, we will continuously identify opportunities to engage with the community as we work together to create energy independence.
Upcoming Events
| Upcoming Events | Details | Date |
|---|
Project Schedule and Milestones
90 Megawatt (MW) solar facility and 80 MW storage project
493 acres of land in Alamosa County
Enough energy to power 13,000 homes annually
Project Area
Project Facts
Point of Interconnection
The Point of Interconnection will be to the Alamosa Terminal, Blanca Peak 115 kV transmission line, that abuts the north side of the project.
Land Use
The Project will be developed on leased private lands and there is no intention to expand the project in future phases.
Project Lifespan
The Project lifespan is 50 years, after which the land will be reclaimed and restored to historical uses.
Job Creation
Approximately 300 jobs will be created during construction. The project creates up to 10 permanent jobs during operation.
Cornflower Solar Project FAQ's
How much energy will be sourced from this project?
The Cornflower Solar & Storage Project, provides clean energy to 13,000 homes while implementing comprehensive high desert habitat protection measures. With 90 MW of solar and 80 MW of battery storage, it stabilizes the local grid and delivers significant economic benefits.
Will this affect the Wetlands in the area?
The site has been designed to avoid playa wetlands and the sensitive Rock Creek areas. The project adheres to a 550 foot setback from Rock Creek to the south. In addition, it maintains a 50 foot buffer from playa wetlands located on the site. If other playa wetlands are impacted, Cornflower will mitigate such impact by restoring and enhancing nearby wetlands and implanting long-term conservation measures to preserve their ecological function and biodiversity.
How will this affect the bird migrations in the area?
A bird protection plan is in place to reduce avian risks, particularly protecting migratory birds like sandhill cranes. Some of the measures include:
- The rows of solar will be set fifteen (15’) feet apart, which creates a 10 foot walking path between each row. This allows birds to clearly see a difference between the panels and the ground beneath as they come in for a landing.
- Utility poles can be outfitted with raptor protection platforms and other avian diverters to protect birds that fly near lines at the site.
- The solar panels use an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare as well as reduce/eliminate polarized light pollution from the panels.
- To ward off sandhill cranes that may perceive the solar array as a water landing, scarecrows and other avian deterrents can be placed amid the rows to warn incoming birds.
How will you preserve the natural habitat?
Maintaining the natural habitat through a Biodiversity Plan.
- Large Buffer Zones. The project adheres to a 550 foot setback from Rock Creek to the south. In addition, it maintains a 50 foot buffer from playa wetlands located on the site.
- Open Up the Site & End Cattle Grazing. Currently the site is crisscrossed with fencing, while cattle graze throughout. The grazing will stop, and the fences removed. This will improve the Rock Creek habitat for big game, like Elk.
- Inverted Wildlife Fences. Special fencing with larger spacing at the bottom to allow wildlife such foxes and jack rabbits to pass through, while more traditional spacing higher up keeps people out.
- Areas where the vegetation has been disturbed will be monitored and if needed, seeded and managed, until the vegetation has been re-established to pre disturbance conditions.
What are some of the Economic Benefits for Alamosa County?
- $400,000 annual tax revenue over 40 years, supporting schools, emergency services, and infrastructure.
- Local businesses benefit, including hotels, restaurants, contractors, and suppliers during construction and operational phases.
- 300+ construction jobs, 40+ pre-construction environmental jobs, and 10+ permanent roles in operation and maintenance.
- Lower energy costs and grid reliability attract businesses like data centers and manufacturers.