Eagle County to flip switch on 77-kilowatt solar energy system

Eagle County will celebrate completion of the largest photovoltaic solar energy system in the Eagle Valley at a “switch flipping” ceremony set for noon on Nov. 3. The system has been installed atop the Eagle River Center at the Eagle County Fairgrounds.

Cost of the project after rebates totaled $127,500. The 77-kilowatt system will offset 100 percent of the electricity usage of the Eagle River Center and will pay for itself in approximately 11 years. County Commissioners Jill Ryan, Sara Fisher and Kathy Chandler-Henry will be on hand next Monday to throw the switch that connects the system to the grid and starts to spin the meter backward.

The solar installation represents a significant step in furthering Eagle County’s “15 by ‘15” policy, adopted in 2013. The policy outlines a goal of a 15 percent reduction in spending on energy, fuels, water and paper by 2015 while supporting increased recycling, adoption of renewable energy sources and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The policy is an offshoot of the countywide Actively Green campaign.

Active Energies of Minturn was selected through an RFP process to complete the Eagle River Center solar project, which includes 285 panels made by SolarWorld. The Oregon-based company is the largest solar manufacturer in the U.S.

For more information, contact Environmental Policy Planner Adam Palmer at 970-328-8734.