City of Englewood, Ameresco Partner on New Solar Initiative

Staff-Reported

ENGLEWOOD – Ameresco, Inc., is partnering with the Denver suburban communityof Englewood in a multi-faceted program to reduce costs and generate renewable energy for the municipality.  The extensive, two-tiered program includes the installation of a solar energy system and an energy conservation program.  The energy efficiency project was introduced at last Monday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the photovoltaic system.

“The program we’ve developed with Ameresco is both environmentally and fiscally sound,” said Englewood Mayor Jim Woodward. ”It will reduce our energy usage and dangerous emissions, produce clean energy, and provide the City with ongoing lower utility expenses.  The project will fund itself as the capital outlay funded by Ameresco will be repaid through the guaranteed savings accrued from these new efficiencies.  This new initiative is a win for Englewood
on every level.”

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are installed on four City-owned sites and are expected to generate 300,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy annually, which represents about 4% of the city buildings’ usage post energy efficiency retrofits.  The state-of-the-art poly-crystalline PV-based panels utilized in this project are recognized for reliable performance, cost-efficiencies, and longevity.

Tom Plant from the Governor of Colorado’s Energy Office (GEO) believes the Englewood project can serve as a model for the people of Colorado.  “This is an excellent example of a public/private partnership where a town is able to upgrade its energy infrastructure, reduce its long-term operating costs and have a beneficial effect on the environment.”