San Isabel Solar Energy Center
Project details
The facility occupies about 250 acres of semi-arid shortgrass prairie on the Colorado south-eastern plains, about 10 miles east of the base of the Rocky Mountains. It uses 120,960 polycrystalline silicon panels (Model SN-72cell: rated 310 Wp, ~16% efficiency) that the manufacturer, S-Energy, claims are less susceptible to potential-induced degradation. The panels are mounted in rows onto single-axis trackers to optimize electricity production throughout the day.
The project was developed, constructed, and continues to be operated by Boulder-based juwi Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of the German renewable energy company juwi AG. Construction began in March 2016 and employed about 400 workers, with Nesco serving as contractor for the civil structures. Commercial operation began in December 2016, with a dedication ceremony on July 14, 2017. The project was financed, and is owned by PSEG Solar Source, a subsidiary of New Jersey's Public Service Enterprise Group. The completed facility cost about US$60 million.
On January 11, 2019 Tri-State and juwi announced their development plan for the 100 MW Spanish Peaks Solar Project, which would be sited adjacent to San Isabel Solar Energy Center. Under their plan, juwi will continue to develop the project and Tri-State would buy the electricity under a 15-year contract. A construction start is being targeted for year 2022, with completion in 2023. If funded, it may be the fourth solar project, following the Alta Luna Solar Facility in 2017, to be added to Tri-State's renewables portfolio.
Electricity production
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 4,287 | 4,287 | |||||||||||
| 2017 | 2,678 | 4,172 | 5,837 | 6,443 | 7,596 | 8,232 | 7,140 | 5,975 | 5,005 | 5,927 | 3,781 | 3,882 | 66,668 |
| 2018 | 4,262 | 5,251 | 7,453 | 7,157 | 7,785 | 8,406 | 7,710 | 7,526 | 6,795 | 4,630 | 4,398 | 4,044 | 75,417 |
| 2019 | 4,326 | 5,451 | 6,380 | 6,596 | 7,396 | 7,830 | 8,006 | 7,685 | 7,433 | 5,556 | 3,940 | 3,452 | 74,051 |
| 2020 | 4,553 | 4,415 | 7,081 | 7,437 | 8,465 | 7,871 | 7,489 | 7,738 | |||||
| Average Annual Production (years 2017-2019) : | 72,045 | ||||||||||||
| Average Capacity Factor (years 2017-2019) : | 27.4% | ||||||||||||
See also
- Comanche Solar Project
- Solar power in Colorado
- Solar power in the United States
- Renewable energy in the United States
- Renewable portfolio standard
References
- ^ "PSEG Acquires 37.8 MW Solar Project from juwi". pseg.com. March 21, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- ^ "Tri-State seals deal on solar farm in southern Colorado". Denver Post. September 1, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- ^ "Tri-State and juwi Announce Power Purchase Agreement for 30 Megawatt Solar Energy Project". electricenergyonline.com. September 1, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- ^ "Tri-State announces new 100-megawatt solar project in southern Colorado". Denver Post. January 11, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- ^ "S-Energy to Supply 74 MW of Solar Modules for Utility-Scale Projects in Colorado". prnewswire.com. May 11, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- ^ "S-Energy SN-72cell Standard Module". s-energy.com. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- ^ "juwi Portfolio - San Isabel". juwiamericas.com. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- ^ "Nesco Projects - San Isabel". nesco-us.com. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- ^ "San Isabel hosts grand opening of solar project". thechronicle-news.com. July 17, 2017. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- ^ "Tri-State and juwi announce 100-megawatt Spanish Peaks Solar Project". juwiamericas.com. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- ^ "Greater San Isabel, Monthly". Electricity Data Browser. Energy Information Administration. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
