Oh Be Joyful Solar Array

Local Renewable Energy for Our Members

The Oh Be Joyful Solar Array is GCEA’s, 1.125-megawatt solar project that provides clean, renewable energy for our members. Built without increasing member rates through the use of federal incentives and Renewable Energy Credit (REC) partnerships, the array generates enough electricity to power approximately 330 homes each year while supplying nearly 2% of GCEA’s annual energy needs.

Project Highlights

  • Capacity: 1.125 MW (AC)
  • Ownership: Owned and operated by GCEA
  • Energy Production: Powers approximately 330 homes annually
  • Member Benefit: Built with no rate impact to GCEA members
  • Location: Land is leased from the Town of Crested Butte
  • Renewable Energy Credits (RECs): Purchased by local partner organizations, helping fund the project while supporting their renewable energy goals

Community Partners

This project was made possible through collaboration with:

  • Town of Crested Butte
  • Town of Mt. Crested Butte
  • Crested Butte South Property Owners Association
  • Crested Butte Mountain Resort
  • Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
  • Adaptive Sports Center

Site Selection

Site selection was driven by a comprehensive evaluation of feasibility and impact. After exploring numerous potential locations across GCEA’s service area, the Oh Be Joyful site was identified by an independent expert as a leading candidate due to land ownership, proximity to GCEA substation, and compatibility with environmental and land-use considerations.

The array’s layout and positioning were optimized to maximize annual energy production. While winter shading occurs due to surrounding terrain, this production impact occurs when solar generation is naturally lower due to sun angle and day length. The design also incorporates detailed snow and detailed snowslide risk analysis, resulting in an L-shaped configuration that avoids higher-risk zones and enhances long-term reliability.

A High-Elevation Solar Project

To the best of GCEA’s knowledge, the Oh Be Joyful Solar Array is the highest-elevation megawatt-scale solar installation in the United States