Gunnison River Solar

Local Renewable Energy for Our Members

The Gunnison River Solar project is GCEA’s 975-kilowatt solar array, adding nearly 1 megawatt of locally owned renewable generation to the cooperative’s electric system. Commissioned on September 21, 2026, the project is located on GCEA-owned property adjacent to the Skito Substation and is owned and operated by GCEA.

The array is expected to produce approximately 2,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually, enough energy to serve the equivalent of approximately 250 homes while providing about 1.5% of GCEA’s annual energy needs.

Project Highlights

  • Capacity: 975 kW AC
  • Ownership: Owned and operated by GCEA
  • Energy Production: Approximately 2,000 MWh annually
  • Equivalent Energy Use: Approximately 250 homes annually
  • GCEA Energy Supply: Approximately 1.5% of annual energy needs
  • Location: GCEA-owned property adjacent to the Skito Substation
  • Developer: PowerField Energy
  • Member Benefit: No rate impact to GCEA members

Project Funding

The Gunnison River Solar project was funded in part through GCEA’s PowerWise Pledge program and will have no rate impact to members.

Project costs and expected energy production were evaluated through a cost-benefit analysis as part of GCEA’s planning process.

Local Renewable Energy

GCEA’s power supply agreement with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association allows member cooperatives to self-supply a portion of their electric requirements through qualifying distributed and renewable energy resources.

Gunnison River Solar allows GCEA to put that opportunity to work locally by adding renewable generation in the Gunnison Valley while maintaining affordability for members.

Winter Production

The Gunnison River Solar array is a ground-mounted, fixed-tilt system, so snow coverage may temporarily reduce production during the winter months.

GCEA will not shovel snow from the panels. Potential winter production losses were considered during the project’s economic and feasibility analysis and occur during the time of year when solar production is naturally lower because of shorter days and the lower angle of the sun.

The Gunnison River Solar project adds to GCEA’s growing portfolio of local renewable energy resources, including the cooperative’s Oh Be Joyful Solar Array and Taylor River Hydro Project.