An increasing number of municipalities and public agencies across the country are joining residents and businesses in utilizing locally-produced renewable energy via community solar facilities to power operations. Boulder-based Clean Energy Collective (CEC) has announced that South Suburban Park and Recreation District, a Colorado special district that provides recreational facilities and services for District residents, has made a significant purchase in a CEC community-owned solar facility.

South Suburban Park and Recreation District, serving nearly 140,000 residents in the cities of Bow Mar, Columbine Valley, Littleton, western Centennial, Sheridan, and Lone Tree, Colo., purchased 170 kilowatts, or 725 solar PV panels, in CEC's Arapahoe County Community Solar Array located in nearby Aurora, Colo.

The renewable energy produced by the solar panels, over 260,000 kWh's per year, will help offset the power requirements for several of the District's high demand irrigation systems that serve its golf courses, ball fields and playgrounds.

"The District has worked for years at saving water and energy at parks and facilities, but never found a viable way to implement renewable energy in a cost effective way. The CEC community solar garden model provides a sound return on investment along with the energy savings," said Brett Collins, South Suburban Park and Recreation's Director of Planning and Development.

"We're very excited to welcome South Suburban Park and Recreation District as a solar garden customer," said CEC founder and president Paul Spencer.

"This application of CEC's community solar solution is a strong testament to the role it can play in helping public organizations like South Suburban in its mission to foster healthy living through environmental stewardship."

CEC's community solar model allows electricity customers of any kind to buy into locally-sited, medium-scale solar arrays and receive credit for the power produced directly on their monthly utility bills. This option is especially attractive for renters, people who live in apartments, and home and business owners with roofs that are shaded or face the wrong direction or may be unsuitable for solar panel installations.

Demand for community solar is growing among municipalities and special districts as many have proactive sustainability initiatives that include using renewable energy.

In addition, such entities are often highly scrutinized for responsibly managing public funds; community solar provides both an environmentally friendly and financially attractive solution.

South Suburban's purchase will allow it to offset power used at multiple facilities, recouping its investment in less than seven years, with a first-year payback of 14% and more than 270% after 20 years - all without forfeiting any open space, or adding to its maintenance obligations.

"This purchase is a good start to improving our energy efficiencies, and we continue to look for more opportunities," said David Lorenz, Executive Director for South Suburban.

The savings realized from South Suburban's community solar investment is earmarked to fund other energy efficiency projects identified in the District's energy performance contract developed by national energy services firm, McKinstry.

The environmental benefit of South Suburban's move is equivalent to the reduction of more than 9 million pounds of CO2 emissions, 10 million miles of car travel, or planting 14,000 trees.