Juwi, Colorado Springs Utilities sign PPA for 175 MW Pike Solar and Storage project in El Paso County

Boulder-based juwi Inc. and Colorado Springs Utilities have signed a power purchase agreement for a 175 megawatt (MW) solar project coupled with a 25 MW, four-hour battery energy storage system. The 25-MW battery storage system will be one of the largest in Colorado.

The Pike Solar and Storage project will be located in El Paso County and is slated to be completed in 2023.

Over the 17-year term of the power purchase agreement, Pike Solar will deliver clean energy from more than 400,000 photovoltaic panels and generate enough energy to power more than 55,000 homes a year. After adding Pike Solar to the existing solar, wind and hydro resources, renewable energy is estimated to represent 27% of Colorado Springs Utilities’ energy portfolio.

The energy stored in the battery will be discharged during expensive peak hours or at night when the solar facility is not generating electricity. The storage system will help integrate solar power with the rest of Colorado Springs Utilities’ energy portfolio, by shifting the hours during which some of the solar energy is delivered to the grid.