Western Disposal is excited to announce we have entered into an agreement with local solar energy producer Jack’s Solar Garden to purchase 15% of its 1.2 megawatt capacity. This agreement boosts our electricity purchases from all sources to supporting 90% renewable energy.
Jack’s Solar Garden, located off North 95th St. in Boulder County, refers to itself as “part solar farm, part garden, and a whole lot more.” This family owned social enterprise is executing on an expansive vision for the betterment of the community.
Jack’s is the largest commercially active research site for agrivoltaics, the co-location of solar power and agricultural production, in the United States. In addition to generating enough renewable solar energy to power 300 homes, they have partnered with Colorado State University, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and the University of Arizona to study growing crops underneath and around the solar panels to learn what crops grow best in the environment within a solar array. A partnership with Sprout City Farms will enable them to begin cultivating crops to put back into the community while training young farmers on agrivoltaics techniques. And Audubon Rockies has established their largest Colorado Habitat Hero around the perimeter of the array, a pollinator habitat of 1,800+ shrubs, bushes, and trees, to help feed local birds and bees. Tours for school kids will be conducted to teach the next generation how energy and food can be produced side-by-side.
We love this project. Not only does Jack’s Solar Garden provide a local renewable energy source, but it is pursuing a forward looking, innovative approach to reviving and preserving local agricultural land. It’s a unique environmental initiative and we’re proud to be a part of it. For more information visit: jackssolargarden.com.
