Garnet Mesa Solar Project: Driving Local Economic Growth, Sustainable Land Use, and Job Creation

 On a sunny day in Delta County, Colorado, the Delta Montrose Electric Association (DMEA) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Garnet Mesa Solar Project, signaling a significant step toward a future powered by renewable energy. Delta County is nestled between the Grand Mesa, the West Elk Mountains, and the Uncompahgre Plateau in western Colorado. It’s known for its agriculture production, wineries, and vast opportunities for outdoor recreation and as well having one of the only electric co-ops that hasn’t had to raise its rates in the last five years. 

The groundbreaking event brought together various stakeholders, including local electric cooperatives, organizers, energy developers, and community members, all of whom celebrated the collaborative effort that made the project possible. The energy was high as people gathered under the shade of a tent to learn more from each other, build connections, and enjoy snowcones for reprieve from the 100 degree heat. 

Initially, the Garnet Mesa project faced intense opposition, including a controversial vote by the Delta County Commissioners, despite approval from the Planning Commission. This opposition stemmed not only from concerns about the changing landscape but also from ideological resistance tied to the county's coal mining history. In response, the Western Colorado Alliance mobilized local residents through a series of strategic actions. They organized members, facilitated public testimony, and launched a letter-writing campaign to county commissioners urging support for the project. Their efforts also included outreach through social media, collaboration with local groups, and direct engagement with DMEA to advocate for the project. After months of persistence and organizing, the Alliance succeeded in overturning the initial vote, turning what seemed like a "shoe-in" project into a hard-won victory for renewable energy in the region. 

As a result of community action and collaboration between organizations, the Garnet Mesa Solar Project is set to become a cornerstone for solar energy development in the region. Once completed, the project will provide local, renewable energy to the Delta-Montrose area, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels while creating long-term benefits for the community.   "Delta County has warmed 2.1 degrees Celsius,” explained Natasha Léger, Executive Director for Citizens for Healthy Community. “It has warmed disproportionately compared to the state, the nation and the world. And so we really need to do everything that we can to try to reduce that local warming level to sustainable levels, and that includes the transition to a renewable energy economy.”

Partnerships Powering the Future

Brian McCurdy, a partner at Alluvial Power, the developer and long-term owner of the solar facility, explained the importance of the project. "Today, we're here to celebrate the start of construction of the Garnet Mesa Solar Project here in Delta County, Colorado," McCurdy said. The project will primarily serve the local electric cooperative, Delta Montrose Electric Association (DMEA), providing much-needed power to the area.”

McCurdy emphasized the broad coalition of partners involved in bringing the project to life. "Delta Montrose Electric Association is a long-term purchaser of the power that will be produced by the facility. Guzman Energy, our wholesale supplier, will also be purchasing some of the output. We've also got Primorous, a contractor based in Denver, building the facility," McCurdy noted. This collaboration highlights the essential role of partnerships in advancing renewable energy projects, particularly in rural areas. 

Jennifer Jones, a volunteer with the Western Colorado Alliance (WCA) and a DMEA member, emphasized the significance of the project. “Garnet Mesa is a big deal,” she said. “It’s going to be the largest agrivoltaic installation in Colorado, and I think it’s the largest solar farm on the western slope. This allows DMEA to have 20% local energy now, and the price is locked in for the life of DMEA’s power purchase agreement, which helps stabilize energy prices for customers.” The project will contribute to local economic growth, with an estimated $13 million in property tax revenue over the next 15 years, benefiting the city of Delta.

Balancing Agriculture and Solar Energy 

What sets Garnet Mesa apart from other solar farms is its focus on agrivoltaics, the practice of combining solar energy generation with agricultural activities. In this case, the project will host a herd of 600 to 1,000 sheep, grazing under the solar panels, while also supporting local ecosystems through the planting of 500 trees and 1,000 shrubs. “It’s harvesting the sun twice,” Jones said. “It’s using agricultural land for both ranching and solar energy. The panels provide shade for the sheep, and the land remains productive.”

Currently, in the United States, 60,000 acres are being used for agrivoltaics including grazing land, pollinator habitat and crop production, all while producing 10,000 megawatts of electricity. These farms report using up to 20% less water than average because of the increased shade and protection provided by the panels. On top of that, a study from Oregon State University revealed that plants help keep the solar panels cool, which makes them more productive. Panels that were positioned above plants produce up to 10% more electricity.

DMEA’s Vision for Renewable Energy

Delta Montrose Electric Association (DMEA), the local electric cooperative that will benefit from the Garnet Mesa Solar Project, has long been committed to renewable energy. Jack Johnson, CEO of DMEA, expressed his pride in the cooperative's role in the project. "This Garnet Mesa project has been part of a vision going back to 2020, and even beyond that, in terms of trying to create or develop renewable local generation for our members to benefit from," Johnson said.

The cooperative model, Johnson explained, is uniquely suited for projects like Garnet Mesa. "We are owned by our members... Each of our members has a stake in the future of the cooperative. They elect their board of directors who set the strategic vision, which we then execute. This project is part of that vision, and it’s aimed at delivering safe, reliable, and affordable electricity." 

Jones echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the value of community ownership. “The democracy of it, of course, the ownership and the equity of decision-making in rural co-ops, is crucial,” she said. “A lot of members don’t even know they’re part of a co-op. Making sure people know how much power they have as member-owners is a beginning point to greater community engagement in renewable energy.”

DMEA has invested heavily in renewable energy without raising rates, a feat made possible through partnerships and strategic decisions. "We've worked with partners like Guzman Energy, our power supplier, to access utility-grade renewable projects. This gives us the benefit of economies of scale, which reduces power costs," Johnson said. This cost-conscious approach has allowed DMEA to maintain affordability for its members while investing in the future.

"We are able to offer a fixed rate over the course of our contract to these co-ops and our other customers, which allows them to pass through that stability and certainty to their customers,” said Emma Orr, the Director of Origination at Guzman Energy. “Historically, with incumbent providers, often the co-ops are rate takers, and they can have rates raised on them without having control over that."

A Blueprint for Future Electric Co-ops

The Garnet Mesa Solar Project serves as a model for other cooperatives seeking to expand their renewable energy portfolios. By leveraging partnerships and remaining committed to the cooperative model, DMEA has demonstrated that it is possible to invest in solar energy without passing the costs onto members. The project also highlights the potential for electric co-ops to contribute to local economies by retaining agricultural uses for the land and creating local jobs during the construction phase.  "The construction will go quick," McCurdy predicted. "It should be over within about a year of starting construction."

As solar energy continues to grow in importance, projects like Garnet Mesa provide a glimpse of a more sustainable and affordable future for electric cooperatives across the country. By prioritizing local, renewable energy and maintaining affordability, electric co-ops have the potential to transform the energy landscape in rural America.

Looking ahead, the Garnet Mesa Solar Project is expected to be fully operational by 2025, providing a reliable source of solar energy for years to come.

With the groundbreaking complete, the focus now shifts to completing the project and ensuring it delivers on its promise of a cleaner, more sustainable future for the community. As Johnson put it, "Electricity is an essential element of life for all homes and businesses, and our goal is to provide that essential service in the most sustainable and affordable way possible."

This collaborative effort has set the stage for the next generation of electric co-ops, showcasing the power of cooperation, innovation, and sustainability.

Western Colorado Alliance