August 9, 2024

Spanish Peaks Solar/Spanish Peaks II Solar Construction On Schedule

The Spanish Peaks in Huerfano County, Colo., one of the more prominent geological formations in southern Colorado that have stood the test of time for more than 40 million years, are about to get a new neighbor by the end of the year.

That is when Spanish Peaks Solar and Spanish Peaks II Solar, a combined, 140-megawatt facility, are expected to begin commercial operation to provide electricity to Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association under two power purchase agreements.

The projects, owned by Deriva Energy based in Charlotte, N.C., are concurrently under construction just east of U.S. Interstate 25 north of Trinidad, Colo. Engineering, procurement and management of the project is under the direction of JUWI Inc., and will be built by JUWI’s subsidiary JSI Construction; both have offices in Boulder, Colo. The project is in the service territory of Tri-State member San Isabel Electric Association.

“Our Spanish Peaks project when competed will be another major component to ensure Tri-State’s commitment to provide 70% clean energy used by our members by 2030,” said Matt Zubrod, origination analyst for Tri-State’s Energy Resources department.

Tri-State first signed a power purchase agreement for Spanish Peaks Solar in 2018, but the same factors affecting much of the electric utility industry – including the pandemic, supply chain issues and tariffs on the imports of solar panels and related equipment – delayed the project over the last several years. Spanish Peaks II Solar was later added in 2019 under a separate power purchase agreement.

One of the interesting aspects of the project is that it will provide renewable energy to two different energy markets, when it reaches commercial operation later this year. The 100-megawatt Spanish Peaks Solar will be in the balancing authority serving the Denver metropolitan area and surrounding regions to the north, while the 40-megawatt Spanish Peaks II Solar will be in the balancing authority serving Tri-State members in southern Colorado and New Mexico.

The project began construction on the 1,024-acre site in late 2023 and is about 65% completed; it is expected to employ up to 250-300 workers during the construction phase. Spanish Peaks will use a unique module tracking system developed by JUWI to maximize the potential of generation to the maximum numbers of hours each day. Both projects will have the combined ability to provide electricity to some 38,000 cooperative members.

Spanish Peaks Solar and Spanish Peaks II Solar get their name from the nearby pair of mountains to the west of the project, not surprisingly named Eash Spanish Peak with an elevation of 12,688 feet and West Spanish Peak, with a slightly higher elevation of 13,631 feet. They are higher than any point in the U.S. to the east. Designated as a Natural National Landmark in 1976, the Comanche people referred to the twin peaks as Huajatolla, which also not surprisingly means “double mountain.”