A new 293 megawatt solar farm in Pueblo, Colorado offers more than meets the eye. In addition to generating clean energy, the site also serves as a carbon sink and a habitat preservation and restoration project for local prairielands.

The Sun Mountain Solar project, led by Lightsource bp (owned by BP) and Xcel Energy, has recently started its commercial operations as a solar farm. The farm has 293 megawatt solar energy generation capacity, enough energy to power about 53,900 homes per year.

According to Lightsource bp, the project also saves over 406,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, equivalent to taking 87,500 gas-fueled cars off of the road.

Lightsource bp owns and operates the Sun Mountain Solar facilities, while Xcel Energy has a long-term purchase power agreement with Lightsource bp. Lightsource bp delivers the solar energy to Xcel Energy, who then provides the renewable energy to customers across eight states. The project supports Xcel Energy’s goal to provide energy from 80% renewable sources by 2030.

Along with the Sun Mountain Solar project, another nearby Lightsource bp project — the 300 megawatt Bighorn Solar project — also serves as a site for prairie restoration. CleanTechnica reported that both sites collectively conserve about 3,000 acres of shortgrass prairie in Colorado.

“Before construction began, Lightsource bp and partners designed a site-specific seed mix, suited to the local climate, ecosystem and soil,” Lightsource bp shared in a statement. “The mix contains staple short grasses like western wheatgrass, buffalograss and little bluestem, as well as a low concentration of purple prairie clover to provide nectar for pollinating insects.”

Read the full article about multi-benefit solar farms by Paige Bennett at EcoWatch.