Bookcliff Community Solar Garden Project letter

Embracing affordable energy, accessible produce, and workforce opportunities, the commissioners are looking forward to seeing the potential positive impact the Bookcliff Community Solar Garden could have on our community. 

During the July 24 administrative public hearing, the Mesa County Board of Commissioners offered support for the Bookcliff Community Solar Garden application in a letter sent to Xcel Energy.

On May 17, 2023, Mesa County adopted a resolution giving the green light to the 9-acre agrivoltaic project, set to be located in Clifton. What does this potentially mean for our community? Let's break it down:

1️. Fifty percent of the electricity generated by the solar garden will be donated to income-qualified and disproportionately impacted communities. 

2️. The remaining electricity will be sold to low-income households with at least a 30% discount on their electric bill.

3️. The solar garden will establish a relationship with the Grand Junction Food Bank to create a low-cost community support agriculture program and provide food donations. 

4️. The project will collaborate with Colorado State University and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to further research the symbiotic relationship between agriculture and photovoltaic arrays. 

Mesa County is thrilled about this project's potential to impact residents' lives positively! Affordable energy, fresh produce, and opportunities for workforce training and job creation are some of the benefits this initiative aims to bring to the county.