SunShare has announced their contract with Adams County to provide the government with clean, reliable energy from Community Solar Gardens.
Adams County will be nation’s first county to power its buildings using Community Solar energy developed by any private firm.
The generated electricity from Community Gardens is fed into the main power grid and the customers can buy needed amount of energy along with a credit on their Xcel Energy bill for that amount.
SunShare has around 11 MW of community solar gardens built as well as under development in Colorado’s Front Range.
In addition, their projects are underway with Colorado Springs Utilities and Xcel Energy with a capacity to serve 2,200 homes.
The guidance offered by SunShare in sustainability and innovation is flawless providing an inspiration for surrounding communities, said, Marc Bencivenni, vice president, SunShare.
Adams County has begun their initial movement towards cleaner energy. This project is a winning opportunity for the organization, community and citizens, said Nick Kittle, performance, innovation and sustainability manager, Adams County.
The Community Solar model is evolving as a prime segment in the renewable energy sector and the partnership with SunShare demonstrates the demand for Community Solar, said J.W. Postal, senior vice president, SunShare.
In 2010 the Colorado State legislature passed country’s first Community Solar Gardens Act that inspired 16 states from Minnesota to California to develop legislation to create their own Community Solar Gardens programs.
With the help of this act, customers who are not interested to install their own solar panels in homes can buy solar energy from an array located in the community.