Ameresco plans 5-MW solar + storage project on Colorado university land

Ameresco, a cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, has partnered with Holy Cross Energy (HCE) for a solar + storage project on land leased from Colorado Mountain College at its Spring Valley Campus in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

A rendering of the 5-MW solar + storage project Ameresco plans to install for Holy Cross Energy on land owned by Colorado Mountain College. Ameresco

Ameresco’s project with HCE is under a PPA, which lets Ameresco design, build, operate and maintain the facilities while simultaneously offering HCE the benefit of clean, renewable energy to help meet its goal of sourcing 100% of the electricity used to serve customer load with renewable resources by 2030. According to the agreement, Ameresco will install 5 MW of solar PV and 15 MWh battery energy storage.

The technology solutions installed will be owned by Ameresco on land it will lease from Colorado Mountain College. Ameresco will then sell the output generated to HCE.

“One of the extraordinary things about working in this industry is finding and utilizing solutions that work for all of our customers,” said Louis Maltezos, executive VP of Ameresco. “By eliminating concerns around potential financial barriers and leveraging our deep technical expertise, we can focus on fostering innovative solutions that fit our clients’ needs and benefit the communities they service.”

Since 1939, HCE has provided electric services, often for the first time, to rural areas left out of large-scale electric and energy projects.

“Projects like this one will allow HCE to attain our 100X30 clean energy goals while keeping power supply costs low,” said Bryan Hannegan, HCE president and CEO. “We are honored to be partnering with local organizations such as CMC to develop reliable and resilient energy resources that will benefit all HCE members even as we assist CMC in meeting its specific sustainability goals.”

Construction is set to be completed in the first quarter of 2022.

“We are so excited to be part of this great venture in solar energy,” said Heather Exby, Colorado Mountain College VP and Spring Valley Campus dean. “By leasing a portion of our land for the solar array, we will help our community to attain energy independence by use of this renewable, and locally abundant, source. Colorado Mountain College as a whole will also move closer to our goal to be carbon neutral by 2050, as we will be receiving renewable energy credits from Holy Cross Energy that will offset electrical usage at our Spring Valley, Aspen and Edwards campuses.

“We could not have done this without the advice and guidance from the staff at CLEER (Clean Energy Economy for the Region),” Exby continued. “The expertise of Katharine Rushton, Renewable Energy Program Director, ensured a high-quality and community-appropriate project that wins for everyone.”

News item from Ameresco

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/04/ameresco-plans-solar-storage-project-on-colorado-university-land/