Public Works Facility and Solar Array
Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010
10 a.m.
801 W. Main St.
More than 50 people attended the grand opening celebration of the town’s new public works facility and solar array, hosted by The Town of New Castle and the Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative.
The event included comments from key players in the project, a ribbon cutting, a tour of the facility complex and solar array, and a reception. Everyone who had a role in the project posed for this photo, above.
The new facility replaces an older maintenance facility that was demolished to make room for the town’s new wastewater treatment plant. It includes a 3,000 square foot administration building and a 6,000 square foot mechanical shop, along with three small outbuildings for storage. The $1.3 million project was started in January 2009.
Both of the large buildings are covered with solar panels – 328 in all – making a solar array of 70.5 kilowatts of installed capacity capable of generating an estimated 94,200 kilowatt-hours per year. The solar array is expected to meet about 90 percent of the facility’s annual electrical needs.
The two buildings are also LEED certifiable and will be highly energy efficient.
FAQ: New Castle
Public Works Facility Solar Array financing
Key players in
the New Castle project
New Castle Town Council
Town of New Castle Public Works Department
Solar array
Garfield New Energy
Communities Initiative
Colorado Department
of Local Affairs
Hybrid Energy Group
Sunsense
Xcel Energy
Public Works Facility
Schmueser Gordon Meyer,
design and engineering
Gould Construction,
site preparation
Martinez Western Constructors, general contractor