Plans for 1 MW Colorado Solar Park Move Forward

Once completed in December, the system will generate nearly 10 percent of the one square mile campus' peak electric demand.

"The solar park is a perfect example of how the federal government can work with its industry partners to embrace green technology," said GSA Regional Administrator Leslie Plomondon. "The project promotes Administration efforts to conserve electricity through the use of renewable energy."

Plomondon said the project would not be possible without the support of Colorado's citizens, GSA, Xcel Energy, and SunEdison. In 2005, Colorado was the first state in the union where voters passed a Renewable Energy Source (RES) initiative. The solar park is an important opportunity for GSA to meet the renewable energy guidelines set forth by Congress, and it brings the DFC closer to its vision of being "the most sustainable campus in the country by 2020."

The project is also important for Xcel Energy in meeting Colorado's Renewable Energy Standard, which requires that large electric utilities generate 20 percent of their power from renewable energy sources by 2020.

"The size of this project shows that solar power can be done on a medium-sized level and that the government can set a tremendous example by leading the way," said Fred Stoffel, Xcel Energy Vice President of Marketing.

"SunEdison is pleased to be working with the leaders at GSA and Xcel Energy to extend solar energy in Colorado. Colorado is a leader in the deployment of utility-scale solar," added Jigar Shah, CEO of SunEdison, North America's first and largest solar energy services provider.