Colorado State University and Pivot Energy, a leading national renewable energy independent power producer, have announced a 20-year partnership to develop a new solar energy project that significantly advances progress toward CSU’s sustainability goals.

Through the partnership, Pivot Energy will build a ground-mounted solar project in Weld County, Colorado. The 5.75 megawatts of electricity produced will be transmitted directly to the Xcel Energy electric grid, which serves much of Colorado. All of the Renewable Energy Credits will be transferred to CSU without increasing its electricity costs, while also representing a major step toward achieving the university’s sustainability objectives, such as having 100% renewable electricity by 2030.

CSU is taking advantage of virtual net metering, an innovative program made possible by Colorado Senate Bill 21-261, which passed in 2021. The legislation enables organizations to benefit from energy produced by offsite solar installations. Under the 20-year subscription agreement, CSU will use renewable electricity generated by the virtual net-metering solar project that Pivot will develop, construct, own and operate, without needing to install solar onsite.

No net cost to CSU

“We are very excited to announce this agreement with Pivot Energy, as it significantly advances CSU toward our goals of utilizing 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2040,” said Campus Energy Coordinator Stacey Baumgarn. “When this project is completed and begins delivering renewable electricity, CSU will be 11 million kilowatt hours a year closer to our 100% renewable electricity goal, at no net cost to the university.”

“We’re proud to partner with Colorado State University on this new and impactful solar project that advances renewable energy in Colorado,” said Matt Brenn,director of community solar subscriptions at Pivot Energy. “Supporting CSU’s renewable energy goals with locally generated solar power is a significant example of how educational institutions can lead the way toward a carbon-free future.”

Construction is expected to begin next winter and be completed during the fourth quarter of 2026. Once operational, the solar project will generate the equivalent of powering nearly 1,200 homes annually, eliminating nearly 7,400 metric tons of carbon dioxide, taking more than 1,700 gas-powered cars off the road, and enough solar panels to fill more than four and a half football fields.

The collaboration reinforces Pivot’s role as a renewable energy partner to three large, leading Colorado universities, including the University of Colorado in Boulder and the University of Denver.

Excellence in sustainability

CSU has a long track record of excellence in sustainability. In 2015, CSU was the first university in the world to receive a Platinum rating in the Sustainability Tracking Assessment & Rating System (STARS) developed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. In 2024, CSU gained another top-four ranking in AASHE’s Sustainable Campus Index and celebrated its 11th straight year earning a perfect score in the Green College Honor Roll rankings by The Princeton Review.

Currently, about half of the electricity CSU uses – including what CSU purchases from utilities and what it produces on its campuses – comes from renewable sources, and Baumgarn said the new solar electricity provided via the Pivot agreement will increase the amount of CSU’s solar portfolio by almost 50%. He added that meeting the 2030 goal of 100% renewable electricity includes more than just acquiring more renewables like solar and wind; the efforts also involve reducing CSU’s electricity use – through continuous improvements in energy efficiency and energy conservation in existing buildings.

About Pivot Energy

Pivot Energy is a renewable energy provider and independent power producer that develops, finances, builds, owns and manages solar and energy storage projects. Pivot leverages its renewable expertise to provide a range of unique offerings that accelerate the clean energy transition by helping companies and communities attain impactful decarbonization. Pivot is a U.S.-based Certified B-Corporation that proudly follows a corporate strategy aimed at providing a positive impact on society as measured by Environmental stewardship, Social leadership, and responsible Governance factors. Pivot Energy is an ECP portfolio company. Learn more at pivotenergy.net.