How CU Boulder is Powering Research & Education with Solar
The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) has broken ground on a new 5 MW solar array in Weld County.
The project, developed in partnership with Pivot Energy, was made possible through a virtual net metering (VNEM) agreement initiated in 2024.
The 23 acre site, jointly leased by CU Boulder and Pivot Energy, will generate approximately 9.5 million kWh of clean electricity annually.
Enabling policy and climate action
The installation includes roughly 8,000 solar panels, enough to cover four football fields if laid end-to-end.
“This partnership with Pivot Energy is a powerful example of how CU Boulder is leading with purpose,” says CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz.
“We’re not just talking about sustainability, we’re building it into the fabric of our operations in ways that are both financially responsible and environmentally impactful.”
Colorado Senate Bill 21-26 enabled the VNEM programme, allowing institutions like CU Boulder to benefit from off-site renewable energy generation.
Instead of installing panels on campus, the university receives credits on its electric bills for the renewable energy produced by the array, while transferring equivalent payments to Pivot Energy.
The initiative supports CU Boulder’s Climate Action Plan (CAP), which lays out the university’s path to carbon neutrality and sustainable energy sourcing.
By using VNEM, the project remains cost-neutral while maximising environmental benefits.
“We are grateful at the University of Colorado Boulder for partners like Pivot Energy, who are helping us create a future where everyone enjoys access to clean air, clean energy and leading climate solutions,” said Andrew Mayock, Vice Chancellor of Sustainability at the University of Colorado Boulder, on LinkedIn.
“This project reflects our deep commitment to sustainability and climate action.
“It’s a bold step forward that shows how large institutions can lead with purpose and make a meaningful impact for the planet.”
Partnership with Pivot Energy
Pivot Energy, a national leader in renewable energy and independent power production, is developing, financing and operating the Weld County solar array.
The company offers a distributed energy platform designed to serve the full solar ecosystem, from construction to energy management software.
“Pivot Energy is proud to partner with the University of Colorado Boulder on this exciting milestone to start construction on this virtual net metering project,” says Mat Elmore, Senior Vice President of Strategic Accounts at Pivot Energy.
“This is a win-win for both Colorado’s largest university and Pivot by helping CU Boulder reach its renewable energy goals and Pivot advancing its mission to accelerate the shift to solar energy in communities throughout the nation."