Publish Date: June 15th, 2026
There are many mission-driven organizations across Colorado’s Front Range that are doing the hard work of making our communities stronger every day. And when those organizations go solar, they can lower operating costs, reduce environmental impact, and reinvest those savings directly into their mission. The Boulder Jewish Community Center (Boulder JCC) is one organization leading by example.
At Namaste Solar, we’re thrilled to partner with community organizations and businesses that are true impact leaders in Colorado. As a 100% employee-owned Certified B Corporation with more than 20 years of experience, projects like the one at Boulder JCC help further our mission of “propagating the responsible use of solar energy and creating holistic wealth for ourselves and our community.”
Here’s how the Boulder JCC leveraged solar and community partnerships to advance its mission and long-term sustainability goals.
Key Takeaways for the Boulder Jewish Community Center
- What is the Boulder Jewish Community Center? The Boulder JCC is a home for “community that builds relationships, embraces differences, and embodies what Jewish life can be.”
- System statistics: The system is 306 kW, supplies 80% of the Boulder JCC’s annual electricity needs, and avoids 729,384 pounds of CO2 annually.
- Collaborative funding: Grants, loans, incentives, and community donations meant the project’s cost were largely covered. Namaste Solar has helped other nonprofits access public and private funding pathways.
- Long-term savings: The solar investment is expected to deliver approximately $1.8 million in total lifetime savings.
Who is the Boulder Jewish Community Center?
The Boulder JCC is a home for “community that builds relationships, embraces differences, and embodies what Jewish life can be.” It’s a place that celebrates Jewish culture and shares the values of community, joy, care, respect, growth, and generosity. For some Boulderites, this community center is a haven where they feel valued, connected, and celebrated.
And their community-driven approach was felt with every interaction with the Namaste Solar team. “The Boulder JCC is a genuinely warm, community-focused place,” shared Saoirse O’Leary, Commercial Project Manager at Namaste Solar. “Every time we met with their team, you could feel how much they care about the people they serve.”
The Boulder JCC Went Solar
Recently, the Boulder JCC went solar with Namaste Solar. The solar project is made up of 614 solar panels with a capacity of 306 kW. This newest system expanded upon a 67 kW system previously installed, and together the systems will supply approximately 80% of Boulder JCC’s annual electricity needs.
“We selected Namaste Solar because they’ve been doing this work for decades,” said Boulder JCC’s Executive Director Jonathan Lev. “They started right here in Boulder, they are employee-owned, and they have built a reputation rooted in high-quality work and conscientious business practices.”
The organization has a long-standing commitment to sustainability and this major rooftop installation on their LEED-certified campus significantly advances that commitment.
“Sustainability is woven into the fabric of the Boulder JCC,” Lev said. “This solar project allows us to lead by example, educating our community while ensuring that our operational savings go directly toward our mission-driven programming.”
The Boulder JCC campus is a recognized leader in sustainability. The main building is LEED-certified, and the Milk and Honey Farm, a 2+ acre educational sustainable farm located on the Boulder JCC campus, operates as a net-zero facility, with 100% of its energy needs met through on-site renewable generation.
“Our goal has always been to offset as much of our energy use as possible by fully utilizing our available roof space,” said Becca Gan Levy, Farm and Sustainability Director. “Decarbonizing the grid is a critical priority, and this project achieves that while significantly lowering our operating expenses. Ultimately, these savings allow us to direct more resources into education, food access, and community-building, modeling what climate responsibility looks like in practice.”
“The scale and impact of this project reflects the Boulder JCC’s long-term vision,” added Saoirse. “This wasn’t just an investment in infrastructure. It was an investment in long-term community resilience, sustainability, and future generations.”
How Did the Boulder JCC Fund Their Solar Installation?
The Boulder JCC approached solar through a layered funding strategy that combined public funding, private support, and utility incentives designed specifically for mission-driven organizations.
A $523,143 grant from the City of Boulder’s Community Culture, Resilience, and Safety Tax Program set the project in motion. Additional support came from Boulder County’s PACE program, Xcel Energy’s Solar Rewards, a loan from the Adamah Climate Action Fund, and gifts from dedicated community donors.
By leveraging these partners alongside federal clean energy incentives, the project’s cost was largely covered, reducing financial barriers for the Boulder JCC as a nonprofit.
“Investing in local renewable energy projects helps strengthen our community while reducing long-term energy costs for organizations that serve Boulder community members,” said City of Boulder’s city manager, Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde. “Through the CCRS Tax Grant Program, projects like this expand access to clean, locally generated power and demonstrate how targeted public investment can advance Boulder’s climate and sustainability goals.”
As tax-exempt organizations explore solar, there are more funding and financing opportunities available than ever before. By combining grants, impact investment partnerships, public and private funding sources, and federal incentives, nonprofits can significantly reduce the cost of going solar. These financing models allow many nonprofits to lower operating expenses, advance sustainability goals, and take control of long-term energy costs with little to no money out of pocket.
In the case of partnerships with impact investors, organizations can ultimately receive a donated and professionally maintained solar system over the life of the agreement. Namaste Solar helps nonprofits coordinate these opportunities through financing structures designed specifically for mission-driven organizations and community-focused impact investors.
How Does This Project Help Our Environment?
This solar installation at the Boulder JCC has positive environmental benefits. This project avoids 365 tons or 729,384 pounds of CO2 annually. It provides the environmental benefits of 77 cars removed from the road, 332 acres of forest sequestration, 5,471 tree seedlings grown for 10 years, or 36 homes powered for one year.
What Kind of Cost Savings Can the Boulder JCC Expect with Their Solar Installation?
The environmental benefits that Boulder JCC is realizing because of solar are just the beginning. The long-term financial savings are expected to create meaningful operational benefits as well.
The solar investment is expected to deliver approximately $1.8 million in total lifetime savings, including:
- $1,424,000 in estimated utility savings over 30 years
- $374,000 in estimated Xcel Energy Renewable Energy Credit (REC) income over a 20-year agreement
By lowering long-term energy costs, the Boulder JCC can redirect more resources into the programs, services, and community initiatives that support the people and families it serves.
A Word from Namaste Solar
Partnering with the Boulder JCC was a natural fit for Namaste Solar. From their value-forward approach to their commitment to building strong communities, working with them was a way for both of our organizations to reach further.
“Working with an organization like the Boulder JCC is exactly why Namaste Solar exists,” said Alicia Creighton, Co-Owner and Commercial Project Developer at Namaste Solar. “As a Certified B Corporation, supporting a mission-driven non-profit that prioritizes sustainability, aligns perfectly with our values.”
The project also delivers tangible economic benefits locally. Thirty-one Namaste Solar employees, from designers and engineers to project managers and installers, contributed to the project, supporting skilled clean energy careers and strengthening the regional clean energy economy.
“Working with the Boulder JCC team has been a great experience that was highly collaborative,” shared Saoirse. “They are thoughtful, responsive, and really engaged in the process.”
Want To See What Going Solar Could Look Like for Your Mission Driven Organization?
Solar can be a win-win for non-profits across the Colorado Front Range. Through nonprofit-focused financing models, impact investment partnerships, and public and private funding opportunities, Namaste Solar helps organizations take control of long-term energy costs with little to no money out of pocket.
To see what it could look like for your organization to go solar, get in touch with our commercial team today. You can click the button below or give us a call at 303-536-8920.
