Platte River Power Authority is making headway in its 2030 zero carbon emission goal.
PRPA signed a purchase agreement to install 20 megawatts of new solar power energy Feb. 14, according to a press release. The new solar power energy is predicted to start operating in 2020.
The purchase agreement was signed with GCL Energy and DEPCOM Power in order to build solar panels at PRPA’s Rawhide Energy Station in Wellington. PRPA, GCL Energy and DEPCOM power have submitted an application with Larimer County to obtain site permits for the facility. County planners will review the plans and make recommendations to county leaders before any plans are finalized.
The 20 megawatts worth of solar panels follows PRPA’s 2016 Rawhide Flats Solar installation, which provides PRPA with 30 megawatts of solar panels and powers 6,000 homes per year.
“This project has been in the works for some time, and we look forward to providing additional non-carbon energy resources to our owner communities and their customers,” wrote Jason Frisbie, general manager and CEO of Platte River, in the press release.
The proposed facility will cover 150 acres with silicon-based solar panels for generating electricity. PRPA will receive all of the energy generated from the solar panels, and the energy is predicted to power 4,000 homes per year in the Fort Collins, Longmont, Loveland and Estes Park area.
Collegian reporter Julia Trowbridge can be reached at news@collegian.com or on twitter @chapin_jules.