Sandbox Solar in Review 2023
What a year it has been for Sandbox Solar and Energy Self-Sufficiency in Northern Colorado! Here is Sandbox Solar in Review 2023…
This year started off hot as Sandbox Solar took on its first-ever Solar Group Buying Co-op in Broomfield, Colorado. Amidst this new and exciting endeavor, Sandbox continued to expand our reach in Northern Colorado, completing multiple community and commercial projects, including Solar Microgrids, Group Buying Solar Co-Ops, Agrivoltaic innovations, and more. However, our favorite installs of the year are always residential! There’s nothing like installing solar panels on a neighborhood roof to get that community spirit pumping.
Here are some statistics from the year to show Sandbox and Northern Colorado Homeowners’ progress in 2023…
Residential Solar Installed:
- 1,474 kW
- 3,685 Solar Panels
- 2,165,668 kWh/yr
Equivalent to:
- 118 homes’ energy use for one year
- 1,049,422 pounds of coal
Become Energy Self-Sufficient and contribute to next year’s stats…
Northside AZTLAN Community Center Solar Microgrid
The Northside AZTLAN Community Center Solar Microgrid Solar Project has been in the works since 2021. With the help of the City of Fort Collins Utilities, Ageto, and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, this Fort Collins Solar Microgrid is finally up and running! With ambitious renewable energy goals, the City of Fort Collins is using this solar microgrid as a first responder resource and research project. Thus, allowing us to identify ways in which renewable energy can be utilized for emergencies, such as wildfires, in combination with load management in communities all across the country.
Head to our Northside AZTLAN Community Center Microgrid Page to learn more about this fantastic project!
Solar United Neighbors | Broomfield Solar Group Buying Co-Op
In late 2022, the City of Broomfield partnered with a Solar Group Buying Nonprofit called Solar United Neighbors (SUN). This partnership allowed Broomfield homeowners to group together in order to bargain for discount solar installations. This is a strategy that is growing in popularity in many Sunshine States! However, only one solar installer was chosen as the official solar installer for the SUN Broomfield Co-Op. With dozens of solar companies submitting bids, the local Broomfield committee selected Sandbox Solar as their trusted winning solar installer. Thanks to our local roots and our dedication to energy self-sufficiency, the Broomfield residents knew that our team would get the job done!
The Broomfield SUN Co-Op has since concluded. Check out the video below to see what our Broomfield Solar Home Owners had to say about their experience…
Habitat For Humanity Meets Sandbox Solar
This year, the Sandbox Team had the pleasure of installing solar energy for the latest Habitat for Humanity community under construction in Longmont! During the installation process, our team was able to volunteer and personally contribute to this incredible nonprofit project. In doing so, we put our solar panels down, picked our paint brushes, and got to work painting and caulking every inch.
To learn more about this incredible project and how to apply for a home, head out to the Habitat for Humanity Project Page.
Sandbox Solar HQ Grand Opening!
After moving into our new facility in 2022, we were finally ready to celebrate our transition with our customers, partners, and community at the new Sandbox Solar Head Quarters! With live music, games, food, drinks, and more, it was a great feeling to be able to share our growth with those who helped us accomplish it. We can’t wait for the many future celebrations to come!
Head to our Grand Opening Post to see more photos of the event!
Sandbox Solar Recognitions and Awards
Yet again, our community members have come out in droves to support Sandbox Solar and our commitment to Self-Sufficiency! In this year’s Solar Power World’s Annual Top Solar Contractors List, Sandbox Solar ranked as the 24th best installer in the state of Colorado. Later on, Sandbox was acknowledged as a Nextdoor Neighborhood Fav and voted the Best Solar Company in Northern Colorado in NOCO Style Magazine’s Readers Choice Best of NOCO Awards 2023. For the 3rd year in a row!
Last but not least, Sandbox Solar was recognized internationally this year for its role in the field of Agrivoltaics! Publications like PV Magazine, Clean Technica, and even the US Department of Energy are talking about SPADE, our Agrivoltaic Design Software, and its innovation in energy and agriculture.
Head to the Agrivoltaics Page to learn more.
Not only are we incredibly proud of the work we’ve accomplished this year, but we are incredibly grateful for the love and support of our Northern Colorado Community. Without your desire to better yourselves and the communities we live in, Sandbox Solar would not exist. So here’s to you, Northern Colorado. May the renewable energy revolution continue to be heard.
