成人AV and Pivot Energy Complete Colorado鈥檚 First Off-Site Solar Project
Photo courtesy Pivot Energy
The 成人AV and , a leading national renewable-energy provider headquartered in Denver, announced the successful completion of the state's first off-site net metering solar energy project.
The 3.28-megawatt direct current (MWdc) project in Johnstown, Colorado, started producing 100% local renewable energy earlier this month, a significant step forward in 成人AV's commitment to offset 100% of its electricity with renewable energy.
Under the agreement announced in 2024, Pivot Energy is developing a portfolio of on-campus and off-site solar projects for 成人AV, totaling more than 27 MWdc of renewable energy. This first off-site project delivers solar power virtually for 成人AV facilities, supporting the University's progress toward achieving carbon neutrality. On January 13, representatives from Pivot, 成人AV, and Xcel Energy (the local utility provider) celebrated the completion of the project with a ribbon cutting.
The completed site is the first of six off-site projects鈥攍ocated in Adams, Mesa, and Weld counties鈥攊n 成人AV's partnership with Pivot. The Johnstown project comprises about 7,000 solar panels, which is enough to power the equivalent of 760 average-sized homes. The solar projects also provide benefits to local landowners, offering 30-40 years of steady lease payments, and produce local property taxes for Weld County. The construction of the remaining five sites will be completed by 2027.
There are three goals for the off-site solar projects: to fully eliminate electricity emissions on the 成人AV campus, lower operating costs, and meet city and state building performance standards.
鈥淭his is an exciting first step as we work towards achieving carbon neutrality at the 成人AV,鈥 said Chancellor Jeremy Haefner. 鈥淥ur partnership with Pivot Energy has allowed us to expand the number of rooftop solar installations we have on campus as well as develop the off-site net metering projects across Colorado. This is our commitment to building a better world and a better future for our students.鈥
The project represents the first virtual net metering solar project to be completed in Colorado since the passage of Senate Bill 21-261, a landmark law that expanded access to off-site solar generation for customers with multiple meters or space constraints. The law enables organizations such as universities, businesses, and hospitals to receive bill credits for electricity generated by off-site solar projects, overcoming barriers that often limit the feasibility of on-site solar installations.
鈥淐ompleting this solar project signals to institutions, corporations, and organizations across Colorado that access to cost savings and emission-reducing renewable energy is easier by locating solar projects off-site and receiving the benefits virtually,鈥 said Mat Elmore, senior vice president for strategic accounts at Pivot Energy. 鈥淭his milestone between Pivot Energy and the 成人AV demonstrates what's possible when innovative policy meets local leadership.鈥
鈥淭he 成人AV is pioneering the way toward a future powered by clean energy,鈥 said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. 鈥淭his project lowers pollution, makes our community healthier, and demonstrates that Energize Denver is not only aspirational but achievable.鈥
As two Denver-based organizations, Pivot and the 成人AV view this completed off-site solar project as both a local success and a model for scalable, policy-enabled renewable energy solutions across Colorado and beyond.
