The CU Athletics Department is proud to announce the launch of Buffs Community Solar, a residential community solar program sponsored by Athletics and exclusive for university alumni, employees, students, donors, season ticket holders and other university-affiliated groups. The program, a partnership with solar contractor Solaroo Energy, is designed to benefit these groups by offering significant discounts on residential solar panel purchases.

Buffs Community Solar allows bulk discount rates for residential solar installations in return for participants donating the renewable energy certificates (RECs) associated with their solar production to Athletics. RECs are tradable, non-tangible energy commodities that represent proof that 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity was generated from an eligible renewable energy resource and was fed into a utility. The RECs donated to the CU Athletics Department will help the university achieve its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.  

As part of the partnership with CU Athletics, Solaroo Energy will administer Buffs Community Solar and work with participants for project management and installations. Solaroo services Colorado, Utah and Idaho.

“We are excited to have Solaroo Energy as a partner for Buffs Community Solar,” CU Athletics Director Rick George said. “The company is committed to the sustainability goals of the Boulder region and beyond, and to helping individuals in our greater CU community save money and be a part of the solution.”

This partnership has a goal to reach 1.5 megawatts of residential installations in the first year of Buffs Community Solar, which would produce approximately 2.25 gigawatt-hours per year of RECs to the university.

The program runs through May 31, 2019. Program details and guidelines can be found on the websites of Solaroo and the CU Athletics Department.