Namaste Solar was back on campus to expand Colorado State University’s renewable energy portfolio. From 2020 to 2022, Namaste Solar designed and constructed 4.2 MW of solar power across 20 sites. This includes sites on the Main, South, and Foothill campuses and both rooftop arrays and ground mount arrays.
These projects are part of CSU’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030 and will create enough electricity to power the equivalent of 827 homes. This nearly doubles the number of solar installations at CSU.
The project was powered by an agreement with locally-based and Certified B Corporation’s Solaris Energy and Namaste Solar. Standard Solar is the project’s long-term owner and operator.
Namaste Solar worked with the Atmosphere Conservancy to build 1.2 MW of roof-mounted solar arrays on several campus buildings, including the Recreation Center, Braiden Hall, the Center for the Arts, Edwards Hall, Parmalee Hall, and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The project was a partnership between Colorado State University (CSU) and the City of Fort Collins.
Namaste Solar installed the 929 kW system for the new Denver Water building and site. There are three distinct arrays: a garage top canopy, a rooftop array, and ground parking canopies. Denver Water’s goal was to build a net zero building designed to be a LEED Platinum building, and the solar arrays were a major component of this design. In addition to offsetting energy usage, the garage solar canopy incorporates rain water collect as part of the on-site wastewater recycling system.
Patagonia hired Namaste Solar to perform the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) work for commercial solar arrays on four sites in California and Nevada. The two projects in California totaled 235 kW and utilized 644 panels. These systems will provide the environmental benefits of clean solar energy while also saving money by offsetting the energy usage for these buildings.
Patagonia hired Namaste Solar to perform the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) work for commercial solar arrays on four sites in California and Nevada. The two projects in Nevada totaled over 1.3 MW and utilized more than 3,800 panels. One system was a roof mount, offsetting the energy usage at a Patagonia distribution center. The other system a carport array that will provide energy while also providing shade and reducing the urban heat island effect.
JAX Ranch & Home worked with Namaste Solar to design and install a solar array on the roof of their Lafayette location. The installation is comprised of 864 modules and 4 string inverters, which have an expected lifespan of over 25 years. The solar array is expected to produce 470 MWh annually, covering 100% of their energy usage; this is equivalent to 21,169 gallons of gasoline not consumed, 4,580 trees planted, or 277 tons of carbon dioxide not released into the atmosphere each year. Namaste Solar is excited to welcome JAX Ranch & Home into the ever-growing community of local companies that are using local, renewable energy to power their businesses.
Upslope Brewing Company, a fellow local Certified B Corporation, has long been committed to sustainability. In 2018, they decided to integrate onsite solar at their brewery on Flatiron Court in Boulder, installing a 25.2 kW system. One of the challenges of this project was determining which meter provided the best point of interconnection, without interfering with utility commingling rules. Another significant challenge was to engineer a racking design that could handle the high wind loads in the area and minimize attachments to the structure, yet not add too much weight to the roof.
In 2020, Upslope added a second solar array at the same location. The second system provides 54.72 kW in additional capacity.
Confluence Companies is creating innovative housing with Aurum Living in Golden, CO, and the project will include rooftop solar arrays built by Namaste Solar. The 99 kW system is comprised of 238 solar panels and will offset the equivalent of 12 homes.
MWHS is a non-profit developer and human services provider who owns and manages apartments in Lakewood and Denver. The Lamar Station Crossing Phase II is affordable housing for people earning between 20-80% of the area’s median income. Namaste Solar worked with MWHS to install a 99 kW rooftop system comprised of 238 solar panels. Lamar Station Crossing Phase II is a nominee for this year’s Housing Colorado Eagle Award, celebrating excellence in Affordable Housing.
Namaste Solar partnered with the Auraria Sustainable Campus Program (ASCP) and Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) to install this solar array atop the Auraria Library. Comprised of 2,106 solar panels, this is the largest single-roof array in downtown Denver. It will generate approximately 1 million kWh annually, enough to power two-thirds of the library’s electricity needs. The array also plays a big role in lowering campus greenhouse gas emissions by saving an estimated 1.2 million pounds of CO2 from entering the atmosphere each year. The energy savings from this project will help increase the ASCP’s annual funding by 10-15%, allowing for other impactful projects on campus.