In solar energy, Rifle shines most brightly

This article was published in the Glenwood Post Independent. By Randy Essex.

In at least one way, Honolulu’s got nothing on Rifle.

Honolulu, coping with Hawaii’s high costs to import petroleum products, leads major American cities in solar power generated per person, at 265 watts. It’s far ahead of No. 2 San Jose, California, which generates 97 watts per capita.

Rifle’s 325 watts per person is in a league of its own. That counts only the government solar power in Rifle, not private installations. Denver, counting private installations, is at 89 watts per person.

Rifle city government has achieved net zero status — it produces at least as much electricity as it draws from the grid. The estimated annual value of the solar power it produces tops half a million dollars, according to estimates from Garfield Clean Energy, a collaborative of 10 local government organizations.

In Garfield County, Rifle leads the way on this Earth Day with 3 megawatts of community solar generating capacity. Carbondale is second, with 711 kilowatts of capacity after a large array at Roaring Fork High School goes Click for full article