The Clean Energy Collective has been selected by San Miguel Power Association, Inc (SMPA) to build and operate a community-owned solar array within the rural electric cooperative's service territory.
In March, SMPA released a request for proposal seeking bids for the design, construction and implementation of a community-owned renewable energy solution, and SMPA's Board of Directors selected the Clean Energy Collective at their August 22 meeting. SMPA and the Clean Energy Collective are now working to identify the appropriate site for a 1 MW community-owned solar facility.
"The Clean Energy Collective brought everything to the table that SMPA was looking for. They have experience working with other electric cooperatives and specialize in community solar projects," explained SMPA General Manager Kevin Ritter.
The community solar project will give all SMPA members the option to invest in solar generation without having to build a system on their home or business. In a program that's the first of its kind in the nation, the Clean Energy Collective model allows customers to adopt renewable energy by owning panels in a locally-sited array, and through the utility directly reap the benefits on their electric bills.
This model eliminates several barriers by opening the doorway to ownership to everyone with electric service: property renters, non-profits, poorly-sighted properties and individuals of all incomes.
This will be the CEC's fourth solar facility in Colorado, along with a recently approved 1 MW site in El Jebel, an 858 kW facility operating in Rifle (currently the largest community-owned solar garden in the nation), and the 80 kW pilot facility in El Jebel.
"We are very excited to be chosen as SMPA's partner for developing community solar and look forward to offering all SMPA customers the opportunity to benefit from community solar ownership," said Clean Energy Collective's President and Founder Paul Spencer.
As they have done with their other facilities, the CEC will demonstrate its commitment to the local business community by utilizing as many local businesses and solar installers as possible during project construction.
