Solar energy – Garfield County

Garfield County green-lights large solar farm

Close up solar panels with the sun setting in the background.

Garfield County has approved an application for a major impact land use change permit that paves the way for a large photovoltaic solar farm south of Parachute. AES High Mesa Solar is constructing a solar energy and battery storage power facility that is projected to produce 31,851 megawatt hours (MWh) each year, roughly enough to power 4,392 homes. The up to 90-acre project site is poised to supply locally generated energy for the next 20 years, with an extension option available for an additional 15 years. The farm supports Holy Cross Energy’s (HCE) goal to obtain all its energy resources

AES High Mesa Solar, Solar energy

Garfield County supporting Garfield Clean Energy

The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has approved a $150,000 grant supporting Garfield Clean Energy’s (GCE) efforts to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy in the region. The grant continues the county’s membership in the GCE collaborative, along with the municipalities of Garfield County. GCE strives for “measurable progress on energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean energy transportation while creating economic benefits.” The grant had been budgeted for in the 2021 Garfield County adopted budget and comes from the general grants BOCC fund. Erica Sparhawk, administrator for Garfield Clean Energy, told the board that GCE has seen early

BOCC, Grants, Solar energy

Ribbon cutting celebrates installation of solar panels at the Garfield County Fairgrounds

The solar panels will produce about 140,000 kilowatt-hours per year, which will be about 57 percent of historical energy use of the building, one of the largest energy users in the county. Press release from CLEER – Clean Energy Economy for the Region

Fairgrounds, Solar energy