Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative solar installations now complete

A major project of the Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative, the installation of renewable energy systems on facilities owned or selected by the partner local governments, is now complete.

The projects were funded by $700,000 of the original NECI grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, plus cash matches from the local government partners and, for most projects, Solar*Rewards rebates from Xcel Energy. To date, the renewables project funding from DOLA has leveraged more than $550,000 in grants from other sources and from utility rebates.

The finished arrays add up to 365 kW of solar electric generating capacity, plus a seven-panel solar hot water system that is estimated to generate 26 million BTUs per year.

Here is a recap of solar projects finished or in the works from Parachute to Carbondale:

Town of Parachute: Installations of 10 kilowatts each at the Town Hall, the water treatment plant and at the Parachute I-70 Rest Area. El Sol of Carbondale was the winning bidder; work is complete.

A unique feature of the project are the three sculptural “solar flowers” installed at the rest area, using triangular solar panels to create the petals of the flowers. Pattillo and Associates engineered the structures and Garfield Steel and Machine Inc. fabricated the framework.
Grand opening event Aug. 27, 2010

City of Rifle: Installations of 10 kilowatts each at the new police department and courts building, 201 E. 18th, the parks maintenance facility at Deerfield Park, and the city operations and maintenance facility, 1221 E. Centennial Parkway. Simplicity Solar East was the winning bidder; work is complete. Grand opening was held May 10, 2010, at Deerfield Park.

Town of Silt: Installations of 10 kilowatts each at Town Hall, senior housing and the wastewater treatment plant. El Sol of Carbondale was the winning bidder; work is complete.
Grand opening event Sept. 2, 2010

Town of New Castle: Installation of two arrays totaling 70 kW on two buildings at the new Public Works Facility, 801 W. Main St. This large project was financed through a power purchase agreement with Hybrid Energy Group, installation done by Sunsense Solar of Carbondale.
Grand opening held Jan. 16, 2010.

More info on New Castle's Power Purchase Agreement.

City of Glenwood Springs: Installation of a solar electric system on the Community Center, 100 Wulfsohn Drive. 20 kW array; bid awarded to Sunsense Solar of Carbondale, work is complete. Grand opening held Nov. 19, 2010.

Town of Carbondale:
Project 1 installation of 29.5 kW of solar electric and 7 panels of solar hot water at Carbondale Senior Housing, 1250 Hendrick Dr. Sunsense Solar and Solar Flair, both of Carbondale, were the winning joint bidders. Additional funding provided by CORE ($25,000) and the Aspen Skiing Co. Environment Foundation ($10,000).
Grand opening held July 9, 2010

Carbondale Project 2 installation of 1.5 kW bi-facial solar electric entry canopy at Third Street Center. Sunsense Solar of Carbondale was the winning bidder; the project is complete. Grand opening was held June 19, 2010.

Garfield Public Library District: Project 1 installation of 53 kW solar electric array on the new Rifle Branch Library, which is under construction. Sol Energy of Carbondale was the winning bidder; work nearing completion. Grand opening held Dec. 9, 2010.

Library District: Project 2 installation of 10 kW at the Parachute Branch Library. Sol Energy of Carbondale was the winning bidder; work was finished in summer 2010.
Grand opening held
Sept. 11, 2010.

Garfield County: Installation of 101.2 kW solar electric system on the riding arena at the fairgrounds in Rifle, using a power purchase agreement to finance the larger system. Sol Energy of Carbondale was the winning bidder, with Rockwell Financial as the holder of the Power Purchase Agreement; installation was completed in early 2011. More info