City & County of Denver Solar Gardens 

The City & County of Denver’s leadership and Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR) are working to enable a sustainable, resilient, climate-safe future for its residents, employees and visitors. On October 20, 2022, city leaders and project partners celebrated the completion of the first 2 of 11 community solar gardens being built around the city over the next year. 

Charged with rapidly and equitably transitioning the city to 100% renewable electricity by 2030, CASR has made this $26M investment in community solar gardens to jumpstart that shift. The project features a dedicated increase in equitable access to clean energy, as over 30% of the power generated will be allocated to support low-income housing and Denver Public Schools families who need help paying their energy bills. 

Once completed, these 11 community solar gardens will produce 9.6 million kWh per year, avoiding emissions equivalent to taking 1,000 cars off the road. 

McKinstry, a partner of the City & County for over 10 years, was selected to design, build and maintain these community solar gardens. Remaining true to McKinstry’s Action for Impact Plan that guides us to address the climate, affordability and equity crises head on, the projects will provide paid training opportunities for clean energy jobs, student internships, and hands-on classroom activities.   

McKinstry celebrates Denver’s commitment to driving positive change in our environment and our communities. The City and County of Denver is leading the way with a program that can be leveraged by other like-minded cities across the US, demonstrating how renewable energy can be a force for positive change and fiscal responsibility.