Preliminary Alternative Scenario — Solar + Battery Storage

This community-created analysis explores whether solar generation and battery storage could provide an alternative to a hypothetical 50 MW RICE facility at Horse Creek. It compares a conceptual 50 MW gas plant with a 100 MW solar array and 50 MW/400 MWh battery system across factors including fuel, emissions, noise, water use, land requirements, storage duration and reliability.

This is not a Black Hills Energy proposal or an independent engineering feasibility study. The assumed 50 MW Horse Creek plant has not been confirmed, and several comparisons in the document remain preliminary. Its value is in showing that residents can ask Black Hills and regulators to seriously evaluate alternative technologies and site designs rather than assuming natural-gas generation at this location is the only option.

Preliminary Community Analysis — Not a Black Hills Energy Proposal or Engineering Study.