Record-breaking solar park from the JUWI Group
JUWI has brought the largest PV project in JUWI history online: With an output of 223.6 megawatts, JUWI has built a solar park for the energy company Deriva (formerly Duke Energy). Its energy yield meets the electricity needs of over 46,000 US households every year.
The “Pike Solar” solar farm will supply energy to the regional American energy supplier Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) under a 17-year power purchase agreement. “Now the largest solar array on our system, Pike Solar represents a significant step toward our goal of an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030,” said Travas Deal, CSU Chief Executive Officer. Chris Fallon, president of Deriva Energy, added, “This is a critical step closer to achieving Colorado Springs Utilities' sustainable energy goals and look forward to powering homes and businesses with new, clean electricity.”
JUWI has completed the development, engineering and construction of the project and will provide operations and maintenance services to Pike Solar. The project is located on an area of over 530 hectares south of the city of Colorado Springs on the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains, approximately 100 kilometers south of Denver. At peak times, around 350 people worked on the solar park. The plant will be owned by Deriva Energy. Deriva, together with JUWI, will take over the operational and maintenance responsibility.
“The safe and on-time completion of Pike Solar results from strong collaboration among project participants, including the teams from Deriva Energy, Colorado Springs Utilities, El Paso County, City of Fountain, and all our reliable and hardworking subcontractors,” said Michael Martin, CEO from JUWI Inc. “The JUWI team worked tirelessly to complete this project under complex logistical and weather-challenged events.” Construction began in late autumn 2022. Over 400,000 solar modules were installed, which were installed on a single-axis tracking substructure system.
“The successful completion of the largest solar park in JUWI history with 223 megawatts once again proves our leading expertise as a project developer, EPC service provider and operations manager. In the USA we have now implemented 25 projects with a total output of around 730 megawatts and have an attractive pipeline," emphasizes Stephan Hansen, COO of JUWI. Carsten Bovenschen, CEO of the JUWI Group, is also pleased about this new record project: “This underlines our role as one of the leading renewable energy companies in selected foreign markets.”
Deriva Energy
Deriva Energy is an established leader in clean energy, with 5,900 megawatts of operating and under construction wind, utility scale solar and storage assets across the U.S. Formerly known as Duke Energy Renewables, Deriva is a portfolio company of Brookfield, one of the world's largest owners and operators of renewable power and climate transition assets. Deriva is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Colorado Springs Utilities
For generations, Colorado Springs Utilities has provided electricity, natural gas, water and wastewater services to the Pikes Peak region. As a community-owned utility, its customers enjoy competitive prices, exceptional hometown service, responsible environmental practices and a voice in how their utility operates.
JUWI
The JUWI Group has been one of the leading specialists of renewable energy for nearly 30 years and offers complete project development as well as other services related to the planning, construction, and operational management of renewable energy plants. The main business areas include projects with wind and solar energy as well as hybrid systems with storage for industrial applications.