Superior, located in Boulder County, hopes to become fully energy-neutral in the coming years. According to the town's chamber of commerce, Superior has a population of just 10,000 but is still expanding - so town officials will have to act fast to improve efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in advance of an influx of new residents.
The solar array that the town announced August 11 should be completed by the end of the year; once it's up and running, it will produce 280,000 kilowatt-hours of energy each year. That's the equivalent of 8 percent of the town's energy consumption.
Not only will Superior save $14,000 per year on its energy bills, it will receive $22,800 annually from utility Xcel Energy in the form of solar renewable energy credits, or SRECs. The town expects its new solar installation to be cash-flow positive from the day it is switched on.
"I'm excited to see this project move forward," Superior Mayor Andrew Muckle said.
