Renewable Energy FAQs
A utility-scale solar project is a large, ground-mounted installation of solar panels designed to feed power directly into our electric grid – typically spanning 80 to 1,500 acres of land. These projects are currently the fastest and most cost-effective sources of new energy generation available, making them one of our best tools to reduce carbon pollution and address climate change. Utility-scale solar is common across the Southwest, where there’s abundant sunlight, open space, and a strong demand for clean energy.
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) store excess electricity – often from solar or wind – so it can be used later when demand is high, or supply is low. These systems can respond to grid disruptions in a split second, significantly reducing the risk of power outages during storms, summer heat, or winter cold. Energy storage also drives down energy costs by charging up when energy is abundant and cheap, protecting consumers from price spikes associated with scarcity and high demand. Simply put, these systems are an essential component of a modern, reliable, and affordable energy grid.
Adams County is one of the most polluted counties in the country due to our proximity to large-scale oil and gas facilities. As a result, we experience higher rates of asthma and respiratory illness, placing a significant strain on our public health system and reducing residents' quality of life. With electricity demand on the rise, we must rapidly build clean energy infrastructure if we hope to reduce our dependence on polluting fuel sources and create a healthier future for our communities. Energy storage is a crucial part of that equation, ensuring that solar energy is readily available for use day or night.
Yes. Unlike many traditional energy facilities, solar and storage projects operate quietly, require minimal water use, and generate no air or water pollution. They are also major drivers of economic activity in the communities where they’re built. Construction creates high-paying jobs for local workers, while project development and maintenance support local contractors, suppliers, restaurants, hotels, and other small businesses. In addition, solar and storage facilities generate millions of dollars in tax revenue over their lifetimes – helping fund schools, roads, emergency services, and other essential public services at no expense to individual residents. In short, clean energy isn't just about powering our homes and businesses, it's also about making our communities a more opportunity-rich place to live and raise families.
If you’ve heard about energy storage fires in the past, the vast majority involved older technologies or battery chemistries that differ significantly from the systems being deployed today. In fact, as energy storage deployment skyrockets and technology advances, fire incidents have plummeted by 97% since 2018. Colorado requires that all energy storage installations comply with the strictest federal fire safety standards by adopting the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes. In accordance with NFPA standards, these facilities are designed to prevent overheating and keep any fire completely contained on-site should one occur, protecting nearby people and property. As an added precaution, the NFPA requires that developers coordinate with local fire departments and first-responders to design thorough, site-specific emergency plans so everyone is prepared in the rare event of an incident.
Yes, solar and energy storage projects can naturally fit into the more rural, agricultural parts of our county. Colorado farmers often opt to host portions of solar projects on less productive plots of their land – earning them steady, reliable leasing income. That income can help ensure the economic survival of traditional family farms and prevent farmers from having to sell off acreage for more permanent forms of development, such as housing or retail. Colorado is also a national leader in agrivoltaics, the practice of co-locating solar with crops or livestock grazing. When agrivoltaics is done effectively, farmers get twice the productivity out of the same plot of land, or “harvest the sun twice.” Just as importantly, solar projects are non-polluting and temporary, meaning that land can be returned to agricultural use after the end of a project’s life. Energy storage projects, by comparison, require very little land to operate – typically only 0.03-0.1 acres per megawatt. Taken together, solar and energy storage projects complement – not compete with – agriculture.
Solar and energy storage projects are often located in different types of areas because they serve different functions on the electric grid. Utility-scale solar projects require large, open parcels of land with strong access to sunlight and nearby transmission infrastructure, making rural and agricultural areas ideal locations for development.
Battery energy storage systems, on the other hand, require very little land and are often sited closer to homes, businesses, and other centers of electricity demand. Locating storage near end users allows these systems to respond quickly to changing grid conditions, reduce congestion, and deliver power where it is needed most. Because Adams County has a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas, we are primed to welcome both solar and storage.
Adams County leaders want to hear from community members like you as they consider proposals for solar and storage projects. Sign our petition to show your support!