SolarEdge and Apollo Energy Donate 60-kW Solar Installation to Cut Denver Nonprofit's Utility Costs, CO2 Footprint
Distributed energy developer SolarEdge Technologies and solar installer Apollo Energy are leading an industry partnership to support local communities through energy development across the Denver area.
The companies are donating and installing a 60-kW solar energy system for Project Worthmore, a Denver-based nonprofit that has served Colorado's refugee community since 2011. The 60-kW system will power the organization's newly renovated 20,000-square-foot campus at zero cost, according to a release.
Project Worthmore's renovated footprint is designed to reduce utility expenses, allowing the organization to reinvest savings directly into community resources. Those resources include educational classes, shared spaces and local community programs that support Denver metropolitan area families.
The installation will also contribute to Denver’s broader sustainability goals by reducing CO2 emissions by roughly 60 metric tons annually. The solar installation is expected to soon be completed with a ribbon-cutting ceremony planned for early August.
This effort was undertaken with partners Pivot Energy, IronRidge, Greentech Renewables and electrical supplier Rexel. It is projected to save Project Worthmore roughly $1,000 per month and more than $350,000 over 20 years.
“Project Worthmore can offset its active consumption with solar electricity, and any excess produced will effectively roll its utility meter backward,” a spokesperson for the companies told EnergyTech about the solar project. “Excess solar production builds a solar bank that can offset future bills indefinitely.”
While the nonprofit isn't selling its excess electricity back to the local grid for credits, this solar bank, a net-metering system, will ensure any critical power needs are always covered from daytime production, redistributing later for winter or nighttime energy needs. Any excess energy produced will effectively roll Project Worthmore’s utility meter backward.
“Projects like this show what’s possible when companies across the solar industry work together to support their communities,” said Chuck Ellis, vice president of commercial and industrial sales at SolarEdge. “By helping organizations like Project Worthmore reduce operating costs, solar energy can free up critical resources for the programs and services that matter most.”
The companies say they view this donation as a growing mission among Denver area manufacturers, installers, developers and distributors to advance solar generation.
For partners like local developer Pivot Energy, it builds upon previous regional efforts, which include the development of the nearby I-70 Community Solar Corridor. The multi-site solar farms feature rooftop arrays visible along the interstate, generating a total capacity of 10.3 MW of clean electricity for local municipal governments, school districts and low-income Colorado residents.
