GCEA commissions new solar project

Gunnison County Electric Association has commissioned its newest local renewable energy project, the Gunnison River Solar array, adding nearly 1 megawatt of locally owned solar generation to the cooperative’s electric system.

The 975-kilowatt AC, fixed-tilt, ground-mounted solar array was commissioned Sept. 21 on GCEA-owned property adjacent to the cooperative’s Skito Substation. The project was developed by PowerField Energy and is owned and operated by GCEA.

The Gunnison River Solar project is expected to produce approximately 2,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually—enough energy to serve the equivalent of approximately 250 homes based on average annual residential consumption. The project is expected to provide about 1.5% of GCEA’s annual energy supply needs.

“Gunnison River Solar is an excellent example of how we can use the opportunities available to us as a Tri-State member to develop local renewable resources that benefit our members,” said Matt Feier, GCEA strategy execution, technology, and member experience manager. “GCEA’s contract with Tri-State provides an allowance for member cooperatives to pursue local renewable energy projects, and we are pleased to put that allowance to work here in the Gunnison Valley. This project allows GCEA to add locally generated renewable energy while maintaining affordability for our members.”

Under Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association’s power supply contract, member electric cooperatives can self-supply a portion of their electric service requirements through qualifying distributed and renewable resources.

The project was funded in part through GCEA’s PowerWise Pledge program and will have no rate impact to members. The project’s costs and expected energy production were evaluated through a cost-benefit analysis as part of GCEA’s planning process.

Because the array is ground-mounted and fixed-tilt, loss of production in the winter months is anticipated and was considered when project economics and feasibility were studied. GCEA will not shovel snow from the panels during winter. Snow coverage may temporarily reduce energy production; however, those potential losses are expected to occur during the winter months when solar production is already at its lowest because of shorter days and the lower angle of the sun.

“Local renewable generation is one piece of GCEA’s broader strategy to provide reliable, affordable and increasingly diverse energy resources,” Feier said. “Gunnison River Solar gives our members the benefit of a community-based energy resource while making responsible use of GCEA’s existing property and infrastructure.”

The Gunnison River Solar project adds to GCEA’s growing portfolio of local renewable energy resources, including the cooperative’s Oh Be Joyful Solar Array and Taylor River Hydroelectric Project.