Hornet Solar, one of the largest utility-scale solar projects in the U.S., developed by Vesper Energy, has been fully operational in Swisher County, TX, for over one year.
In 2025 alone, Hornet Solar contributed more than $5 million in tax revenue to local entities, including:
- Over $2.6 million to the Tulia Independent School District
- Over $1.3 million through the Swisher County Tax Assessor
- Over $600,000 to Swisher County through a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement
- Over $300,000 to the Swisher County Memorial Hospital District
Since April 2025, Hornet Solar has generated over 1.5 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity, enough capacity to power over 160,000 homes. The project delivers reliable, American-made power, serving as a large-scale solution to Texas’s rapidly increasing energy demand.
“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.”
Vesper Energy has also contributed over $31,000 to local nonprofits, community programs, and first responders. This includes funding for youth sports, food access initiatives, and emergency services.
Over $4,000 dollars went to the Tulia Volunteer Fire Department for the purchase of a utility trailer for their emergency side-by-side vehicle. “This support improves how we respond to emergencies across the county,” said Chief 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.”
Hornet Solar has boosted local businesses throughout construction, spending over $1.8 million on regional services and materials, including trucking, concrete, sanitation, and equipment maintenance. Local vendors, including Rock Hard Trucking, Bed Rock Caliche, High Plains Concrete, Swisher Tires, and Ed Harris Lumber, all supported the project’s development.
“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.”
The project created over 450 construction jobs, including more than 300 for local workers, and established nine permanent positions.
Hornet Solar is also preserving Swisher County’s agricultural roots by using sheep to manage the land. More than 1,800 sheep graze on-site, maintaining vegetation under the solar panels. This approach lets farming and energy production happen side by side.
The project team remains committed to investing in local priorities and building a transparent relationship with the community. Learn more at www.hornetsolartx.com.
ABOUT VESPER ENERGY: Vesper Energy develops, owns, and operates utility-scale solar and battery storage projects across the United States, building reliable power infrastructure for the businesses and communities that depend on it. Headquartered in the greater Dallas area, Vesper’s team has collectively delivered more than 10 GW of renewable energy projects. Today, Vesper’s active development pipeline spans 11,000+ MW across 35+ projects in ERCOT, MISO, PJM, SPP, and WECC. www.vesperenergy.com
