Colorado State University forwards their clean energy goals with 4.25 MW solar capacity
Colorado State University (CSU), which has long been committed to advancing the country’s clean energy transition, added 20 more solar arrays to its campus. The 4.25 MW arrays represent another important milestone in the deployment of solar energy on the CSU campus, bringing the total number to 11.2 MW at 43 different sites.
These systems reflect the university’s commitment to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2040. “We will be paying the same for the power coming out of those solar arrays in 2050 as we do today,” said Carol Dollard, an energy engineer for CSU who helps manage the design and installation of renewable energy systems. “It’s a great investment for the University and it allows us to get solar on our buildings at a very low financial risk.”
Standard Solar and project partners, Namaste Solar and Solaris Energy, designed and constructed the 20 sites. Deployed in Fort Collins on four CSU campuses, the locations of the rooftop arrays are at Laurel Village, Corbett and Parmelee Halls, Warner College of Natural Resources, Johnson Family Equine Hospital and the Equine Performance Analysis Facility, Nancy Richardson Design Center, Global Foods Innovation Center, Agricultural Research, Development and Education Center, Natural Resources Research Center, CSU Health and Medical Center, South College Parking Garage, Translational Medicine Institute, Aggie Village North. There are also two ground-mounted installations on the SW edge of the Foothills Campus.
“Standard Solar is a proud participant in this partnership bringing solar energy to CSU, where more than 32,000 students live and learn,” said Michael Streams, Chief Development Officer at Standard Solar.
Jason Sharpe, CEO and co-owner of Namaste Solar, noted, “This project supported 42 permanent jobs at Namaste Solar alone. In all, this multi-year project employed nearly 70 people and involved 16 companies, most of them being local. This benefits local families, the Fort Collins community, and Colorado’s economy.”
Standard Solar is the project’s long-term owner-operator, while Namaste Solar designed and constructed the arrays. Solaris Energy co-developed and was the initial owner of the project, providing the legal structuring, financing and development oversight. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on the University’s campus in October 2023 to celebrate the completion of the 20 arrays. The event was attended by Governor Jared Polis and representatives from Standard Solar, Namaste Solar and Solaris Energy.
“We’re proud to be a part of a project that proves the financially beneficial solar possibilities today and will remain a shining example for generations to come,” stated Nick Perugini, Vice President and co-owner of Solaris Energy.
The projects are structured through a long-term Power Purchase Agreement, which will fix CSU’s electricity rate for the next 28 years. The university has ownership of the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) attributed to the systems.
