Crested Butte is located in the East River Valley and has a population of 1,487 over 1 square mile. The Town is situated in an excellent area for solar due its above average solar energy resource. Visalia yields 1,458 kWh/kW per year, which is more than 10% greater than the national average of 1,200 kWh/kW per year.
Solar Market Potential
In assessing the potential for solar PV installations in Crested Butte, the SSTI team considered statewide renewable energy goals and determined the local deployment necessary to achieve these goals. In Colorado, all utilities must comply with the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which requires a specified fraction of electric power to be produced by renewable sources. For cooperative utilities such as Gunnison County Electric Association, which serves the Town, the RPS mandates up to 20% renewables by 2020.
Local solar project development keeps the economic and environmental benefits in the community. Targeting development of half of that renewable energy production through local/regional solar PV could produce the following impact over the next 5 years in Crested Butte:
| LOCAL IMPACT |
Crested Butte |
All Western Colorado Jurisdictions (16) |
| Solar Viable Residences |
310 |
106,876 |
| Residential Potential (kW) |
1,583 |
545,068 |
| Total Market Potential (kW) |
1,725 |
1,654,317 |
| Annual Energy Production (kWh) |
2,515,000 |
2,506,083,000 |
| Equivalent Homes Powered |
266 |
264,695 |
| Economic Impact ($) |
$3 million |
$3 billion |
| Workforce Impact (Jobs): |
17 |
15,881 |
| Environmental Benefit (acres trees) |
370 |
343,099 |
Visit our methods and assumptions page for more information on these estimates.
Local Installation Requirements
For specific information regarding local solar permitting, zoning, net metering or interconnection procedures, contact the appropriate office listed below.
Permitting & Inspection Requirements
All PV systems require an electrical permit from the Department of Regulatory Agencies. The Town currently does not require any additional local permits for retrofit PV systems. Systems installed on new structures are handled through the standard building permit process. The Town is exploring a streamlined permit process for structural review of PV systems, including the use of a simple solar specific permit form. Check with the building department for recent updates.
- Visit the State Electrical Board’s website to apply and pay for your electrical permit online as well as to schedule an inspection. On this page, you’ll find a link specifically for Photovoltaic Installers.
- Visit Crested Butte’s Building Department website or call (970) 349-6626 for general information about the Town’s solar PV permitting process.
Net Metering & Interconnection Requirements
The Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA) is the electricity provider for the Town. Solar related information is easily accessible online and direct links are below.
- Visit GCEA’s Renewable Energy Webpage for general information
- GCEA’s Net Metering Process is available online
- GCEA’s Interconnection Agreement is available online
Local Solar Resources
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General Solar Resources
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Solar Roadmap
To facilitate efforts to capture the local solar opportunity, the Solar Roadmap team has worked in close coordination with the Town to develop a customized, interactive solar roadmap as described and accessible below. This solar roadmap contains specific, actionable steps that can be pursued to improve permitting and inspection processes and develop solar friendly municipal regulations and guidelines.
