Solar contractors Pivot Energy and Standard Solar have completed a 2-MW solar project in Jefferson County, Colorado. It was the fifth and final project in a series of community solar developments launched by the companies’ partnership in 2019 which aimed to expand community solar access across the state.
Credit: Standard Solar
Pivot developed the project and Standard Solar funded the community solar array and is the projects’ long-term owner and operator.
“Pivot is very proud to see this portfolio come to fruition. These five projects are a step toward meeting the growing demand for clean energy across Colorado, all while supporting jobs and bringing myriad economic benefits to the local communities,” said Jon Fitzpatrick, VP of project development for Pivot Energy. “Our partnership with Standard Solar has been a tremendous success in expanding access to solar for more Coloradans, and we look forward to continued solar development in the state and across the nation.”
Community solar projects enable multiple subscribers to purchase a portion of the power produced and receive a credit on their electric bill. It has the ability to serve an estimated 50 to 75% of U.S. consumers who do not have access to conventional rooftop installations but want to reap the benefit of solar energy.
More than 110 kW of the project’s capacity is specifically designated for low-to-moderate-income (LMI) segments of the community, a demographic which has historically had less access to the benefits of solar energy. Pivot Energy has 8.5 MW worth of LMI community solar subscribers in the state, amounting to 17% of total subscribers.
Municipalities have subscribed to this latest community solar project, with 500 kW to Eaton, 75 kW to Parachute and more than 500 kW to Garfield County. It is also supporting the Grand Junction Airport and Homeward Bound of the Valley.
“By working with Pivot Energy on these projects, we have been able to leverage our collective resources to yield even greater results,” said Shaun Laughlin, head of U.S. strategic development for Standard Solar. “Community solar is undeniably a key component of the future of clean energy and is set for immense, sustained growth. We are encouraged by the success of these projects in Colorado in expanding equitable access to solar power and committed to funding further development in the community solar sector.”
With the completion of this project, the two companies have met their goal of developing 8.9 MW of solar power in Colorado through this project series. The other four projects in the series are located in Garfield County, Jefferson County and Mesa County and are also managed through SunCentral, Pivot Energy’s proprietary community solar customer management interface.
News item from Standard Solar
